SINGAPORE \u2013 Singapore\u2019s first-quarter growth was solid and reflects the diversity and strength of its economy, but the global outlook remains uncertain, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on June 8.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The country is making broad adjustments in areas like economic planning to deal with the uncertainty and technological change, but what is most important is its ability to maintain solidarity and unity, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot fully control how the world changes, but we can choose how we respond, and that response must come from Singaporeans ourselves,\u201d he said at a dialogue with the Singapore Press Club held at the SPH Media auditorium in Toa Payoh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Singapore is more diverse than ever before, with people from different backgrounds, different aspirations and perspectives. That diversity is a tremendous source of strength, PM Wong said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur greatest strength remains the same \u2013 and that\u2019s our ability to stay united and move forward together as one people,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And as the world becomes more fractured, Singapore must become more cohesive, he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how we continue to thrive and flourish in this next phase,\u201d said PM Wong at the dialogue titled \u201cSingapore at 61: What\u2019s ahead?\u201d<\/p>\n
While Singapore beat the initial first-quarter estimate of 4.6 per cent<\/span><\/a> to grow 6 per cent year on year, the full effects of the Middle East conflict<\/span><\/a> have yet to be felt here, he noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n He was speaking as the guest of honour at the dialogue, which was part of the Singapore Press Club\u2019s Eminent Speaker Series, presented by the SPH Foundation.<\/p>\n The Government still expects inflationary pressures to rise, and there is also uncertainty about how artificial intelligence will impact the job market, said PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister.\u00a0<\/p>\n