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Finance, logistics, culture, tourism: a national survey of the forces shaping Singapore
The MonocleSingapore Survey2009
Welcome
Singapore003National Survey
Monocle’s National Survey:Singapore
There are few countries that can be seen in their entirety from just a few thousand feet above sea level butit’s the compact, city-state profile that makes Singapore such a curious player on the international stageand attractive hub for businesses from a host of sectors.As other nations have spent billions attractinginvestment and talent to create similar groupings of logistics companies, banks, hotel groups, respectedacademic institutions and technology brands,virtually all have to follow a model that Singapore’s beenhoning for decades. Having established itself as not only the most important commerce centre inSoutheast Asia but also a benchmark for everything from civil aviation management to public housingdevelopment,the nation state is now staring out across the horizon and charting its next act to stayrelevant and, more importantly, competitive. In a world that’s increasingly going point to point when itcomes to travel (longer range, more fuel-ecient aircraft threaten major transit hubs such as Singapore’sChangi) and is also interested in one-stop solutions (will Shanghai eventually emerge as Asia’s singularglobal financial hub?), Singapore has its share of challenges in both the short and long term but it’s alsobeen moving swiftly to develop new areas of expertise to diversify its oer.For the past three months editors and writers have been shuttling in and out of Singaporeto interview s, sample exhibitions,visit refineries and simply scope out the streets.While the scale andpace of development for the new integrated resorts beyond the financial district is breathtaking and thegrowth in medical tourism should be of concern to Bangkok up the road,the most impressivedevelopment in the country’s economy is the rise of a new class of young, globally minded entrepreneurswho are adding a new layer to the retail, restaurant, media and hotel scene. Clever duos such as KarenWaiand Kenny Leck and their bookstore and publishing business, and Jane Hia and her burgeoning cafés are afresh force that are inspiring others to take risks and challenge convention in a society that has long had atop down approach to steering and stimulating economic development.With the government placing anemphasis (and significant funds) on attracting more creative industries while nurturing talent at home,Singapore is rewriting the mission for what it means to be a hub in the st century and hoping it willcontinue to lead and force others to follow. —
HOST CITY
SINGAPORE
Serving up in
August 2010
www.singapore2010.sg
004SingaporeNational Survey
Contents /Contributors
014 /015
Transport:
Singapore Airlines, ChangiAirport and the InternationalCruiseTerminal. Pluswhy you can get almostanywhere in Singapore injust minutes.
016 /017
Tourism:
How Singapore is catering toits increasing visitor numbers,including the top hotels andthe best bars and restaurants.Plus five neighbourhoods thatyou shouldn’t miss.
018 /019
Technology &alternative energy:
Biopolis science park andfive Singapore technologyinnovations. Plus how the tinynation is leading the way in itsuse of alternative energy andwater solutions.
020 /025
Arts & media:
Singapore’s repositioning asa cultural centre, including itsnew National Art Gallery,auction houses, galleries andartists. Plus the best films, ,radio, music and gaming, andthe leading lights of the filmindustry, best books andtop design creatives.
027 /029
Fashion/retail
How the country is turningfrom Italian labels to embrace“Made in Singapore” – weprofile some homegrowntalent, including two tailors,five hot designers and fourfresh independent retailers.
030 /033
Architecture/urbanism:
An architectural survey of Singapore old and new. Plusnew urban projects, the topfirms and developers andrising architectural stars.
006 /007
State of the nation:
Mapping the fortunes andfuture of the country, fromthe Central Business Districtto the port, the retail hotspotsto the best neighbourhoods.
009 /011
Finance/economy:
An overview of Singapore’sbooming business landscapeincluding how it compares toHong Kong in the financialstakes, the chairman of bank and five Singaporeanbrands that could go global.
012 /013
Logistics:
Singapore’s is one of theworld’s major trading andshipping hubs, with its giantport and forthcoming artstorage space. Plus, JurongIsland, the world’s third-largest export refining centre.
Editor
Liv Lewitschnik
Writers
Ben Bland()Tyler Brûlé()Katharine Ee()Eric Ellis()Liv Lewitschnik ()DavenWu()
Photographer
Darren Soh
Illustrators
Robert HansonTokuma* * *Special thanks to Antonia Chang
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