Remaining open to talent for the future economy

IN sketching out a vision of the economy over the next 10 years, the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) sees a role for all stakeholders in shaping the future. But the conspicuous lack of specific focus on the role of foreign talent has drawn attention from some quarters.

The questions and interest in the issue are no surprise, if not perhaps a little misplaced. In a world marked now by rapid advances and convergence of technologies, as well as upheavals in areas from trade to globalisation, the CFE has prescribed innovation, value creation and entrepreneurship for Singapore to stay ahead. This places a strong focus - perhaps even stronger than before - on having the sharpest minds as a driving force behind growth. As such, although it did not outline a clear approach to foreign talent, there is tacit understanding and acknowledgemen…