REACH (Telegram) 117 - What are your views on the recommendations from the Economic Strategy Review? What more can be done to ensure that the Singapore economy remains competitive?
(SK)
30 Jan 2026 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 3:02 pm]
Dear Contributors,
Welcome Back! π
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Megan π
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 3:16 pm]
π’ Topic π’
On Friday (30 Jan), the Economic Strategy Review (ESR) provided seven key recommendations for Singapore's economy and the labour market.
The recommendations are developed after consulting with businesses and workers over 60 engagements, events, and company visits.
π¬ What are your views on the recommendations from the Economic Strategy Review? What more can be done to ensure that the Singapore economy remains competitive?
π Background of ESR
The ESR was unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in August 2025 to chart a forward-looking blueprint to secure quality opportunities for Singapore’s businesses and workers. The ESR reports to the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT), which was set up in April 2025 to help businesses and workers navigate immediate uncertainties arising from the US tariffs.
The ESR consists of five different committees, each focusing on different aspect of Singapore's economy.
These recommendations are part of a mid-term update by the ESR, and the full report with final recommendations will be published in mid-2026
One of the key recommendations was that Singapore should establish itself as a global artificial intelligence leader and push for AI adoption across its economy. The review also emphasised that Singapore should also evolve its skills and training systems to make lifelong learning a practical reality for workers.
π Recommendations on the economy
Four recommendations focus on driving Singapore's economic growth. The ESR noted that AI will revolutionise economies and industries, saying Singapore must stay ahead to harness its transformative power and put the country on a different growth trajectory.
“We should do more to position Singapore as a location of choice where companies and top talent come together to develop, test, deploy and scale innovative and impactful AI solutions,” the ESR committees said in a media factsheet.
Beyond AI, Singapore should also strengthen its position in manufacturing sectors where it already has a foothold, such as semiconductors, healthcare and specialty chemicals.
National research and development resources should be deployed to secure global leadership in high-value sectors, capitalising on Singapore's trusted reputation, the ESR committees said.
π Recommendation on the labour market
The ESR also added that workers should be more proactive in acquiring skills, career planning and entrepreneurial in seizing new opportunities.
“We should evolve our skills and training models, to enable training to be agile and responsive to worker and industry needs, and for Singaporeans to upskill and reskill throughout their careers,” the ESR committees said.
This will require more flexible pathways blending training and work, a national AI workforce strategy, a more nimble career and skills system, and a review of how government support is organised.
The ESR committees also recommended strengthening career transition support, including working with employers on earlier retrenchment notices and providing tailored placement and training.
The ESR committees also mentioned that businesses needed to innovate and reposition themselves, with Singapore enabling them to proactively navigate transitions and pivot to viable opportunities.
“This could entail providing practical support for businesses to better understand their business health and make transition plans, including rationalising or offshoring parts of their operations to seize new opportunities,” the ESR committees said.
π Full list of recommendations
The full list of seven recommendations are:
- Transform Singapore’s advanced manufacturing industry to establish global leadership in key sectors.
- Pursue emerging opportunities in quantum, decarbonisation and space technology to push the growth frontier of the economy.
- Establish Singapore as an AI leader where companies and top talent can develop solutions.
- Strengthen connectivity with global markets and aggressively support local firms to internationalise.
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 3:16 pm]
- Uplift and transform jobs to broaden Singapore’s range of good jobs.
- Evolve skills and training models to make lifelong learning a practical reality.
- Provide practical support for businesses to navigate transitions.
ππ» https://cna.asia/45HL3ui
ππ» https://cna.asia/4t6O1m7
ππ» https://str.sg/CA3z
ππ» https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-launches-new-economic-strategy-review-to-stay-ahead-of-global-shifts
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REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 3:17 pm]
[ Poll : 1) I am confident that the recommendations and measures will continue to grow Singapore's economy. (Please share your reasons in the chat!) ]
- Strongly Agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly Disagree
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 3:17 pm]
[ Poll : 2) I am confident that the recommendations and measures will support workers and create good jobs. (Please share your reasons in the chat!) ]
- Strongly Agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly Disagree
365, [30/1/2026 3:27 pm]
Being a global leader in key sectors is a double edged sword. On one hand, we have additional bargaining power to get more favourable trades, on the other hand, it can invite geopolitical trouble. Computer chips is quite an example of this.
365, [30/1/2026 3:31 pm]
I would also suggest the government to diversify the sectors for training. If everyone's being trained with the same skillset for the same industry, they will cannibaslise each other and suppress wages. Train many people in different skills, so each of them fulfill a different role and advance together.
It could just be my uninformed and ignorant impression, but it seems like the government is focusing on AI and information technology related sectors only.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 3:39 pm]
1. AI has been identified as the main mover in every industries to boost productivity for workers and business.
2. Hence education and training will likely to emphasize more and more AI driven skillsets, exploiting AI agents to perform work, using LLM to generate codes etc.
3. If students and workers are increasingly moving along this line, there is a danger that students and workers will lose their foundational knowledge and basic skillsets while relying heavily on AI to help students and workers generate the outputs - without understanding the AI codes for example to debug, check for errors due to AI hallucinations, refine the codes, perform troubleshooting and test the codes, perform system integration.
4. Hence in education, IHL, Universities, students must still be trained in the foundation knowledge and skillsets without the help of AI.
5. And then at the later part of each lessons, train using AI as a tool to generate codes - by learning how to formulate problem statement to feed into AI and LLM.
6. While relying AI to give our students and the workers the productivity boost, education and training must still ensure our students and workers possess the foundation and fundamental skillsets eg. Able to code from start to end without AI.
7. Otherwise, our new generation of students and workers will heavily rely on AI, without AI, students and workers cannot do foundation coding.
8. This means our new generation of students and workers will not acquire the basic skillsets in which previous generation possess.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 3:58 pm]
Hence I propose IHLs, Universities to set 2 exams.
For example to illustrate for computer science (network) students, they will be test on 2 skillsets:-
1. Generate codes and test cases for 2 routers connectivity using OSPF (without AI).
Show routing successfully completed through ping and traceroute.
2. Use ChatGpt LLM to generate 2 routers connectivity via OSPF.
Modified the AI generated codes to include MD5 security for ospf connectivity.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 4:00 pm]
So for 1st exam, students and workers must be able to code from scratch without using AI - to determine whether students and workers have acquired the foundation skillsets of network.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 4:01 pm]
! Interfaces
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
no shutdown
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
ip address 10.0.0.1 255.255.255.252
no shutdown
! OSPF Configuration
router ospf 1
router-id 1.1.1.1
network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.3 area 0
end
write memory
πΉ Router 2 (R2) Configuration
Copy code
Cisco
enable
configure terminal
hostname R2
! Interfaces
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0
no shutdown
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
ip address 10.0.0.2 255.255.255.252
no shutdown
! OSPF Configuration
router ospf 1
router-id 2.2.2.2
network 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.3 area 0
end
write memory
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 4:03 pm]
For 2nd exam, the above codes will have been generated by ChatGpt LLM.
Prompt:- Generate cisco configuration codes - using ospf routing between 2 routers.
But candidates will be tested on amending the Cisco codes to include MD5 security in OSPF connectivity without the help of AI ChatGpt.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 4:04 pm]
! Interfaces
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0
no shutdown
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
ip address 10.0.0.2 255.255.255.252
ip ospf authentication message-digest
ip ospf message-digest-key 1 md5 OSPF-MD5-KEY
no shutdown
! OSPF Process
router ospf 1
router-id 2.2.2.2
network 192.168.2.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.3 area 0
passive-interface GigabitEthernet0/0
end
write memory
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 4:07 pm]
π’ Topic π’
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 4:08 pm]
So both exams:-
1. Self coding (no AI).
2. AI generated codes (but students amend the AI codes to include MD5 security)
Will provide the teachers, professors and the employers the confidence that the students and workers possess the foundation skillsets and knowledge - without losing their basic skills and knowledge.
And yet able to tap on AI to massively boost their productivity.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 4:14 pm]
In other words, a worker who come to job interview must possess the skillsets and be able to do :-
1.
&
2.
Proficiency in 1 only - no good because it shows that the candidate not able to make use of AI to boost his productivity.
Proficiency only in 2 is also no good.
It means the candidate only know how to use AI to generate codes but does not possess the foundation skills.
If AI hallucinate, or unable to do system integration, this candidate will be at a loss to do debugging and perform system integration - because the candidate does not possess the skillsets of coding - as he rely on AI to do it for him.
So workers and students who possess only 2nd skillsets without the 1st skillsets is not valuable for the company.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 4:28 pm]
1. Also notice that for advanced manufacturing, HBM (high bandwidth memory) and GPU chips will be the next frontiers of AI growth.
2. GPU chips production seems to be coming out only from Taiwan and South Korea.
Singapore still unable to attract chips manufacturers to design and manufacture GPU chips in Singapore.
If we succeeded in doing so, our advanced manufacturing sectors will surely boom.
3. But luckily, we manage to secure Micron to pump billions of dollars to design and manufacture HBM for us.
Certainly a big boost to our advanced manufacturing.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 5:05 pm]
1. I think AI and IT are use as enabler and productivity tools to boost every industries and every sectors.
2. For example, IT enable online banking, eCommerce, eTransaction, online marketplace, social media etc - allowing business of various industries to leverage on internet to sell their products and services and thus expanding their customer base and reach.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 5:10 pm]
3. Customers can put fixed deposit via online banking and no need to take a trip down to the banks.
4. People can buy insurance products via eTransaction through the web.
5. Retailers can sought Livestream social media influencers to market and sell their products.
6. People can buy products via shopping platforms such as shoppe, Lazada, Amazon, Taobao etc.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 5:11 pm]
7. People no need to take a trip down to do their passport - everything can be done on the web.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 5:12 pm]
8. Shippers can use online website to file all their maritime documentation.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 5:14 pm]
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/smes/nanyang-optical-plans-enter-voluntary-liquidation-after-65-years-will-close-4-6-stores
Nanyang Optical plans to enter into voluntary liquidation after 65 years; will close 4 of 6 stores.
The eyecare chain’s remaining two stores, which are under franchise arrangements, will continue operating and are unaffected.
This was alongside weaker sales at the outlet, as more customers in Woodlands flock to Johor Bahru to buy related products, he observed.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 5:15 pm]
A very established local spectacle business is forced into liquidation because it is not able to transform itself.
If it is able to market its products online, probably he can grow and expand its business rather than go for liquidation.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 5:29 pm]
The reasons why I propose to emphasize:-
1. Acquire foundation skillsets
2. Use AI to boost productivity
Is not to make the same mistakes like previously, we are coaxed to outsource all our coding, programming and software development to India, Philippines in the jest to save cost while our workforce concentrate on project management.
As a result, we lose the basic foundation skillsets and engineering knowledge to other countries.
We are force to in-sourced our software development and IT engineering skills back a few years later, as our economy lost our vital hardcore skills.
Also recall there is one opposition TJS who say we should offshore the whole manufacturing sectors to other low cost countries but only concentrate in service industries like US.
Luckily we didn't do it, else we end up like US - lose out the global manufacturing capabilities and capacity to China.
So in the case of AI, we must never make the same mistakes again by outsourcing coding to AI and lose the coding skills.
Once lost, very difficult to restart and regain it.
Khai Mun L., [30/1/2026 5:42 pm]
Don't agree with becoming leader in AI. Very hard to compete against countries that pump money into state controlled companies to attract local and overseas talents. SG cannot afford to all-in to this sector while letting other industries lapse. There is limited manpower and resources
Khai Mun L., [30/1/2026 5:46 pm]
Plus the term AI is used understood differently by some leaders. We should get digitalization first before wholesale into generative or AI learning models.
So many other tech stuff to consider first-power, water to maintain servers, cyber security, integration between departments and society, balance the hiring of foreigners to train/work in advanced AI firms, better ways of counter misinformation from AI etc
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 5:58 pm]
Ai and automation are leading. If growth are all related to ai which means jobs will be lost while gdp increase. Then attracting foreigner will be redundant as it only creates limited jobs to Singaporean
2.if there's massive fail in ai then Singapore will be stagnant
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:02 pm]
manufacturing decarbonisation and space and ai interesting
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 6:02 pm]
π’ Topic π’
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 6:12 pm]
I think the fear of AI replacing jobs is real.
Very important to reassure workers that AI won't replace jobs.
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:18 pm]
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUH8Psyj5WD/?igsh=MTAyaGc1cW9sbjk3ZA==
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:19 pm]
Gan say that economic growth does not equal to new jobs
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 6:21 pm]
"Humans must learn to collaborate with artificial intelligence: Josephine Teo".
https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/humans-must-learn-to-collaborate-with-artificial-intelligence-josephine-teo#:~:text=Humans%20must%20learn%20to%20collaborate%20with%20artificial%20intelligence%3A%20Josephine%20Teo
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:21 pm]
The truth is when technology improve less entry level jobs is needed
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:22 pm]
you cannot expect everyone is in mid level or senior level
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:24 pm]
The boss will say since ai can do this for me why would I need you
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:25 pm]
DBS expects to shrink contract and temp jobs by 4,000 over next 3 years as AI replaces roles
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/dbs-ceo-piyush-gupta-sees-job-cuts-of-4000-temp-staff-as-ai-replaces-roles
Adam, [30/1/2026 6:26 pm]
Why are they personifying AI. Its like saying people need to learn to collaborate with cars. AI should be a tool. Maybe these people talk to a chatbot intimitely at home
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:28 pm]
Sometimes it's not about learning about ai, it's the nature of it. The job is unavailable at the first place
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:28 pm]
Are those 4000 people don't want to learn about ai?
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:29 pm]
They are more willing to learn but there's no vacancy for them
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 6:30 pm]
[26/01, 3:29 pm] ☸️ Danny εΏ: "JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says he welcomes government ban on mass-firing people for AI: ‘We’re going to cure a lot of cancers’".
https://fortune.com/2026/01/22/jpmorgan-chase-ceo-jamie-dimon-ai-layoff-income-assist-workers-elon-musk-sam-altman-universal-basic-income/#:~:text=JPMorgan%20CEO%20Jamie%20Dimon%20says%20he%20welcomes%20government%20ban%20on%20mass%2Dfiring%20people%20for%20AI%3A%20%E2%80%98We%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20cure%20a%20lot%20of%20cancers%E2%80%99
[26/01, 5:41 pm] ☸️ Danny εΏ: Goodness.
JP Morgan CEO prediction is true.
If AI displace fresh graduates, there will be civil unrest.
All lose.
Hence companies must employ despite using AI.
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:31 pm]
It's already a tool in majority of the students during research. Lol. Even ntu penalise using ai in assignment
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:31 pm]
Who don't use gpt nowadays
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:34 pm]
Even in resume people are using ai
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:35 pm]
Companies will say I am still employing just that not as much
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 6:38 pm]
Yes.
Generally this is the fear many workers will be facing.
But as long as government and business can convince all the workers will have jobs, AI will complement us rather than replace us.
Using AI will bring higher income in terms of higher salary because of higher productivity, then I think we will feel ok.
Now is the uncertainties cause by AI that creeps in fuel by many negative reporting in US and the US companies - about AI replacing jobs.
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:39 pm]
Another thing to note is decarbonisation and being a leader of ai is in a conflict position
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:39 pm]
Ai generates a lot of carbon footprint
Ethan, [30/1/2026 6:39 pm]
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/psle-singapore-exam-dsa-desmond-lee-5891926
Ethan, [30/1/2026 6:39 pm]
This is absurd
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:40 pm]
Which I foresee ai carbon tax coming out
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 6:46 pm]
Nobody knows what to do as AI drives a surge in carbon emissions
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/nobody-knows-what-to-do-as-ai-drives-a-surge-in-carbon-emissions
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 6:47 pm]
One way to cushion the impact of carbon emissions from AI is to use green energy eg. Nuclear energy (non-radioactive type).
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 6:49 pm]
Source :- Google AI
Big tech firms are increasingly turning to nuclear energy to power energy-intensive AI data centers, seeking 24/7, carbon-free, and reliable electricity. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Meta are signing deals for advanced nuclear technology, particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which offer a smaller footprint and scalability. Nuclear is viewed as a crucial, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels to meet soaring demand, with projects accelerating to come online by 2030.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [30/1/2026 6:58 pm]
This is the same sentiment when computerisation kick-in in the 1990s - many fear that computerisation and IT will replace many jobs.
Though it does replace jobs like typists (many people type using computers) not typewriters.
Computerisation, IT and internet have in fact trigger a full blown digitalisation jobs throughout the economy.
I suspect AI will do the same.
But this period of uncertainties, how AI transform jobs or will it replace our jobs - make everyone nervous.
Only when the AI dust settle down, then workers will know how to anchor ourselves.
Meanwhile there will be anxieties.
But as long as our government, business and union workers work closely together, I think all our people jobs will be secured.
But as workers or business, we need to adjust and transform to exploit AI as it comes.
Else we could end up like those established business - need to close down or liquidate.
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 7:26 pm]
Before it settle down there definitely have a job shortage as people do not know what is in demand
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 7:26 pm]
Or rather what is the right skills is needed.
Khai Mun L., [30/1/2026 7:26 pm]
There can never be guarantee that jobs won't be lost because of AI.
Companies, not government, make the decision based on their own business needs.
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 7:27 pm]
Ai have make it hard to identify what is real what is ai
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 7:28 pm]
A lot of misinformation can be spread easily, it's very hard to verify
Jun Ming, [30/1/2026 7:29 pm]
Especially knowledge based stuff
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 7:45 pm]
Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
RY, [30/1/2026 7:55 pm]
AI is an unevitable trend, whether U like it or not. We have to keep up to pace whether in education/work/different industries n etc
I recently attended the AI course with the skillsFuture credits. I now understand with AI, it may replace human jobs eg graphic designer/analyst and etc
AI is a new arena that can do many things eg analysing/marketing in biz n etc. Many new software eg Canva n etc, with the use of AI that may generate images/videos/content/analysing/slides n etc
It really helps to slim-line many work process with AI
However, there are many cons also eg deepfakes that can be generated just using AI
Further, many copyrights issues fm the contents/videos/images generated fm AI
REACH Singapore, [30/1/2026 8:00 pm]
Dear Contributors
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
====
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