Business leaders cautiously optimistic on Trump-Kim meet

Singapore

BUSINESS leaders in Singapore are cautiously optimistic about Tuesday's meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, hoping more for the start of longer-term dialogue than for a dramatic breakthrough.

"There is an air of hope and scepticism at the same time," summed up Laletha Nithiyanandan, managing director of management consultancy Behavioural Consulting Group.

Given the troubled route towards the on-again, off-again talks - called off abruptly by Mr Trump on May 24 but back on track a few days later - some pointed out that merely holding the summit is an achievement.

"While the ambitious hopes that the world has for this engagement may not materialise in full or even in part, the event's very occurrence is cause for optimism," said Dominic Volek, managing partner for Singapore and hea…