President Nathan to outline govt's priorities for
remaining term of office
SINGAPORE: The Singapore government will outline some of
its key priorities for the remaining term of office when President
S.R. Nathan opens the second session of its 11th Parliament on
Monday at 8.30pm.
Top on the agenda, according to political watchers, will be steps
the government will take to help Singaporeans ride out the economic
downturn and rally Singaporeans to work hand in hand with the
government to tackle this crisis.
The government has already announced some key measures among them,
the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR), the Jobs
Credit Scheme and measures to help small and medium enterprises get
financing from banks and financial institutions.
Following the President's address, the various ministries are
expected to release their addenda to the speech.
These addenda will outline some of the key plans for the coming
period.
Such plans are expected to take into account the prevailing
economic conditions and various global developments like the latest
outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, the on-going challenges to
defeat terrorism and Singapore's preparations for various major
events like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting
in November this year and the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
Parliament will debate the President's address during the week of
May 25.
The President's speech will be telecast "live" on Channel NewsAsia
from 8.30pm.
- CNA/de