Curbs on significant investment need not hurt Singapore’s reputation for openness

AT FIRST glance, Singapore’s planned curbs on “significant investments into critical entities” might seem like a bold and even uncharacteristic move for an economy that prides itself upon openness. In the greater international context, however, the move is both understandable and not particularly alarming.

If the restrictions are reasonable in scope, and implemented with clarity and transparency, then they should not bruise the Republic’s reputation.

Granted, we have yet to know what form the curbs might take, nor even whether they will be legislative in nature.