Singapore ranks 6th in first-ever Future Governance Index
Singapore ranked first in Asia and sixth globally in the first-ever Future Governance Index (FGI).
FGI, which was developed by the Future-Moves Group (FMG), studied and ranked the governance readiness for governance readiness of 65 countries in the face of five “megatrends” or profound and complex global structural shifts.
These megatrends were climate change and resource scarcity; technological advancement; ageing and urbanising population; shocks and crises; and slowbalisation.
For the five megatrends, Singapore ranked high in technological advancement, clinching first place; second for shocks and crises; and ninth for ageing and urbanising population.
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Monetary Authority of Singapore and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas partner for cross-border payment linkages
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed a partnership that targets cross-border payment linkages.
Linkage of both countries, real-time and QR payment systems will be the focus of the deal in order to provide low-cost border payments.
This initiative is set to assist the remittance flows between the two countries, as a total of $2.89b was recorded in 2020. This is also expected to cater to the pre-pandemic yearly average of around 900,000 travellers between the two.
It also aligns with the G20’s efforts to tackle obstacles in global cross-border payments, as well as add to the ASEAN goal of establishing regional payments integration by 2025.
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Job opportunities for Singaporeans jump 21% in the third quarter
The number of job opportunities in Singapore increase by 21% year-on-year.
These figures are indicative of a recovering market in Singapore. Experts believe a number of companies have seen what skills companies require and also implemented attraction strategies beyond high salaries.
Key sectors that led this growth include engineering, manufacturing, digital and technology which individually recorded an increase of 48%, 27% and 17%, respectively.
Meanwhile, the highest demand in this space can be attributed to digital product managers who possess a unique set of skills. The role of these managers is to also act as a bridge between businesses and technical engineers.
Open job positions in engineering and manufacturing also doubled this year as more companies react to the Singapore industry’s 4.0 initiatives.
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Singapore to invest $180m for AI research
Singapore is ramping up its study and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), setting aside $180m (US$133m) for research in AI and rolling out new national AI programmes.
The new $180m invested for AI research adds to an earlier $500m that Singapore committed under its Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2020 (RIE2020) plan.
Two new national AI programmes will be launched in Singapore: one for finance, to build deep AI capabilities within Singapore’s financial sector with the goal of strengthening customer service, risk management, and business competitiveness, and one for the government, which aims to improve public services.
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Changi, Porsche partners for Changi Airport's EV-charging points
Changi Airport Group (CAG) is partnering with Porsche and SP Group for the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations dubbed as Porsche Destination Charging.
Six Porsche Destination Charging EV charging points will be installed in Jewel by end-December. They will be available for all Changi Airport visitors.
This project is part of CAG's green efforts towards its pledge to zero-carbon growth by 2030. One of their goals is also the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and overall carbon footprint. The partnership also aligns with Porsche’s mission of sporty and sustainable mobility.
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