SSA2220T

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

SSA2220T – GLOBAL ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF SINGAPORE

(Semester 1 : AY 2016/2017)

Time Allowed: 2 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS

1. Please write your Student Number only. Do not write your name.

2. This assessment paper contains FIVE (5) questions and comprises TWO (2) printed pages.

3. Students are required to answer THREE (3) questions in total, which include: ANY TWO (2)
questions under Section A and ONE (1) COMPULSORY question under Section B.

4. Students are to write the answers for each question on a new page.

5. This is an OPEN BOOK assessment.

 2 SSA2220T

SECTION A

Please answer any two of the following four questions. All questions carry equal marks.

1. Singapore has experienced changes in hinterland over time. Identify any three major changes
since the start of British rule till now, and explain their causes. In the present context, what may
be a drawback to Singapore for not having a substantial hinterland that truly belongs to her?

2. Describe the positive features of the Straits dollar that were desired by the people in Singapore,
but absent in currencies used before the introduction of the Straits dollar. How were these features
achieved? In what way did the Straits dollar influence the currency model adopted by the
Singapore dollar?

3. State any two geopolitical issues affecting Singapore today, whereby one originates from the
Asian region and another from the non-Asian region. For each issue stated, suggest its potential
impact on the economy of Singapore. Additionally, what may be one disadvantage and one
advantage held by Singapore when she deals with geopolitics?

4. What are the problems met by Singapore, which lead to the current strong push for productivity?
The past productivity drive in the 1980s took a backseat after a while, with pressures from the
economic recession and the unhappy private sector then. Now Singapore is facing a lacklustre
economy and many businesses are grumbling on the pace and/or mode of economic restructuring,
do you think that the Singapore government should continue or decelerate the productivity drive
this time, and why?

(34 marks)

SECTION B

Please answer the following compulsory question.

5. Being a rarity, Singapore is both a global city and an independent nation. Explain how these two
roles differ from each other. Also in your opinion, discuss any two challenges posed to Singapore,
due to her need to juggle these two roles at the same time.

(16 marks)

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