S'pore and Hong Kong must both prepare for the next lap

Singapore

THE changes are palpable. The rapid pace of growth in Singapore is something evident to anyone who has visited the city. A port, a mega city, a financial services hub and a free economy. Singapore also happens to share these titles with another rapidly growing city, Hong Kong. Cities that are similar in a myriad ways, yet so uniquely different. Twin cities and arch rivals.

Hong Kong's greatest strength is its role as a connector between China and the rest of the world - something that HK CEO CY Leung has always believed in. More than 30 per cent of Hong Kong's inward-bound foreign direct investment comes from China. Add to that the recently established Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and you have a city with a special place with regard to the Asian giant.