SINGAPORE (Xinhua) – Singaporean President Halimah Yacob on Monday called for building a more resilient economy and maintaining social harmony to push the country forward while delivering her final National Day message.
She stressed improving the ability to add value and stay relevant to the world to ensure Singapore’s economic success amid unprecedented challenges arising from rapid technological changes, geopolitical rivalry, increasing protectionism and high inflation and interest rates.
While the country innovates and pushes new frontiers, it needs to help workers to master skills in the growth sectors so that they can benefit from the new and better jobs, the president added.
Warning that social mobility is slowing down in the city-state, she promised education reform and higher income to close the gap.
She called on the Singaporean people to cherish a prosperous and diverse society, noting that racism and intolerance are rising across the globe.
The president also highlighted the “Forward Singapore” exercise as a collaborative and cooperative effort to involve all Singaporeans in shaping the future.
Singapore will celebrate its 58th national day on August 9, and the presidential term of Halimah Yacob will end in September.
