Singapore Reframes Economic Strategy with Focus on Collective Resilience and Innovation

Singapore is entering a new phase of economic transformation, with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam calling on citizens to embrace a “we first” mindset as the nation adapts to global uncertainties. In his opening address to Parliament, President Tharman emphasized that Singapore’s long-term competitiveness depends on transforming industries with new technologies and upskilling workers. Acknowledging the fraying global rules-based order that has allowed Singapore to thrive in the past, he highlighted the need to restructure industries and strengthen capabilities across sectors “of the future”: advanced manufacturing, IT, finance, clean energy, and sustainability.

The President’s message reinforced a central theme raised by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the 2025 National Day Rally, where he acknowledged that the stability once provided by a rules-based order has now been weakened. With escalating tariffs and trade tensions creating global uncertainty, Singapore identified innovation and technology as critical levers to maintain its competitiveness. The country is committed to advancing R&D in frontier technologies like quantum computing while promoting the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence to drive productivity and unlock new business opportunities.

Building on these domestic efforts and extending its impact globally, Singapore launched the Singapore Digital Gateway (SGDG), a platform consolidating over 30 digital tools to support other countries in their digital development. Announced by Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo, the SGDG provides access to Singapore’s AI and digital government strategies, governance frameworks, playbooks, open-source tools, and capacity-building courses, aiming to share Singapore’s practical experience. Initially covering AI and digital government domains, the platform will expand to areas such as cybersecurity, online safety, smart cities, and digital economy.