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Help Singaporeans, but consider foreign firms’ operating costs, too

From my experience, Singaporeans are hungry to succeed and complete the work well.

Singaporeans are hungry to succeed and complete the work well, and there are many roles where locals are competent. TODAY file photo

Singaporeans are hungry to succeed and complete the work well, and there are many roles where locals are competent. TODAY file photo

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I have worked in large, foreign multinational corporations, and from my experience, Singaporeans are hungry to succeed and complete the work well.

There are many roles where locals are competent, but I have noticed instances where they were not promoted to senior levels despite their track record.

The inability to “click” well with bosses of a foreign ethnic background is one of the issues. This should not, however, prevent locals from being given opportunities in top positions.

I doubt that Singaporeans are not talented; it is a question of whether they are given opportunities to develop and prove themselves. Otherwise, there would be a talent vacuum in Singapore society in the future and we may become a victim of circumstances.

Foreign companies could easily relocate their regional headquarters to other countries by bringing their own people with them.

On this note, I think the authorities should soon consider weakening the Singapore dollar, which has been appreciating over the past few years.

Compared to neighbouring countries, it is costly to operate a regional office here. It is cheaper, for example, to hire an American or a European, compared to a Singaporean, to work here.

While I can appreciate the Government’s effort to control inflation through currency appreciation, a more serious situation would emerge if unemployment spikes.

This may occur if companies relocate operations due to the strong currency, the cost of employing Singaporeans and the rising cost of living here.

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