Effects of Regionalisation

Effects of Regionalisation1. IntroductionAcknowledging the fact that future growth entrust depend on everywherecoming resource scarcity and a small domestic market, the Singapore government has been strongly encour develop local firms to regionalise their operations and invest abroad. This repute discusses some of the social and economic downsides brought ab step to the fore by the regionalisation strategy.2. Regionalisation Intent Of The GovernmentSingapores scarceness in resources i.e. land labour as well as its undersized domestic market atomic number 18 the major drives for regionalisation. The rationales to propel Singapores economy beyond her shores argon as follow.Boundless BoundariesMarkets and workplaces are no longer limited by boundaries and distance. Capital is free to move to where it can generate the opera hat returns. While our neighbouring countries gear up and build up, our competitiveness is eroded due to our high running(a) cost and unattractive domestic m arket. piecey jobs are lost for good as business activities shift to these countries where operational costs are much frown e.g. for labour intensive industries. Also, the small consumer market here hinders the potential of local retailing industries unfavourably. On the other hand, the region offers far better returns for all.Economic offsetThe United States and Europe throw off all along been our traditional markets. In view of this dependency, the slowdown of economic growth rates in these matured economies forever puts a brake on Singapores economy. Consequently, we have to look towards the up and coming Asia-Pacific region where growth rates are in double digits, no interrogative sentence due to its low base. But it offers vast opportunities for Singapores produce to be a part of them and to grow with them.Mutual BenefitsRegionalisation looks beyond the borders to tap and leverage on peerless and only(a) anothers strengths. This constitutes a win-win situation.Wider exp osure cultural diversity of peopleExpanded networks and contacts with international businesses, clients talentsLarger job market where career is not confined to local booking opportunitiesHealthier relations with affiliated countries through mutual beneficial trade3. The Family Pays For RegionalisationIt is believed that while regionalisation brings us good, it will and is going to upset the family ties of Singaporeans in one federal agency or another.The ChildrenOne major hurdle that deters Singaporeans who are married with children from taking up jobs overseas is their concern about their childrens education. Parents expressed concerns over the childs resistance and adaptability to orthogonal curriculum system, possibility of racial discrimination in strange schools, denial of foreign education credentials in future and loss of emotional ties with Singapore. Nonetheless, measures are taken to resolve these concernsSingapore International Schools Simulating home-style school ing environment abroad with parallel curriculum including Mother TongueLeave of Absence aim Entitling previous students to rejoin their former schools upon returning homeFlexibility in Admission Criteria Recognising foreign examination scores and conducting in-house examinations and interviews for admittance decisionsCAMP SINGAPORE tack together overseas Singaporeans children back home to live through Singapores all-embracing way of life in a good fun educating mannerAbolishment of monetary Bond Requirement Encouraging males ( 11 years old) to follow their parents abroad to foster family cohesion promote regionalisationThe WifeThe regionalisation policy seems to have become one that helps men to a greater extent than it does women. Findings of a study have shown that the careers of numerous women ended on the backburner because of the countrys regionalisation drive. Women get locked into the stereotypes of being only mothers and housewives.100 out of 150Man brings his wife ch ildren with him overseas146 out of 150Wife gives up a good career becomes a housewife149 out of 150Unable to take prisoner a professional job she once held001 out of 150Only one man accompanies his wife overseasThe MarriageFindings of the study have revealed that 148 out of 150 spouses felt neglected when the other heads overseas to work. More than 75% of them fear the problem of extramarital affair. Furthermore, research has shown that a disillusioned family returns in malice of all preparatory measures taken by the family e.g. pledging to call/visit one another often, to stay faithful etcetera E.g. A top manager resigned, choosing his conjugal union over his career and another who did the exact opposite and as a result suffered a broken marriage.4. The Country Pays For RegionalisationTo begin with, let us go out that regionalisation implies the occurrence of a two-way flow of expertise between a sending country and a receiving country. When the inflow is greater than the out flow, we say there is judgement Gain. Conversely, when the outflow is greater than the inflow, we say there is Brain Drain.Some Reasons For The Brain Drain PhenomenaEconomical reasons e.g. better job development prospects, overturn cost of living, higher disposable incomePolitical Legal reasons e.g. less restrictive dominative groundsSocial reasons e.g. stress-free work, education personal lifestyle, creative self-interest development seatPhysical Natural reasons e.g. ample cheap resources (land, labour, raw materials etc.), seasonal climate, picturesque landscapesThe Undesirable RepercussionThe phenomenon has weakened the countrys choice and pool of talents harshly. Given our diminutive population, we have no surplus of talents. This will in turn upset our competitiveness, economic potential as well as unbalance our mix of population e.g. Singaporeans versus PRs, aging population etc.In a way, we have flattened our own pyramid of talents with our own hands by encouraging th e dispersal of Singaporeans. more of our best now contribute to others economies permanently instead of returning to Singapore. They are only idea, worrying and creating wealth for foreign lands. This is the facet of regionalisation that we need to reflect on and shout (Goh Chok Tong, 1997).Go Regional, Stay Local ApproachIt is crucial that overseas Singaporeans are tied to Singapore strongly by helping them to stay in apprehension with us. The setting up of Singapore International Foundation, Singapore International Schools, Singaporeans Overseas Programmes, over 85 Singapore Clubs and the regular monthly SINGAPORE magazine are efforts paid out to preserve the Singaporean identity and the sense of national belonging of overseas Singaporeans (Lee Hsien Loong, 2003). Other efforts include giving overseas Singaporeans voting rights e.g. the novel GE 2006 in Shanghai, home-stand assistance in times of emergency e.g. evacuation from Cambodia Indonesia during those troubled times a nd welcoming them back by helping spouses to find jobs children to schools in the re-entry stage.5. Foreign Talents PolicyThe policy aims to attract two meetings of foreigners. It also covers transient low-skilled workers who will have to leave after a period of time. The first group refers to the crme de la crme of talent. Sought by countries all over the world, they include neurosurgeons, top-notch scientists, professors, sportsmen etc. Examples include table tennis player Li Jia Wei from China, chief operating officer of DBS Bank John Olds from America etc. The other group refers to qualified young people who meet several objectives e.g. lab technicians, nurses, IT personnel, multi-skilled or experienced persons etc.Population DistressStatistics show that more than a quarter of the people in Singapore are foreigners (PRs and non-residents). In 1990, our population numbered 3.05 million. It has since jumped to 4.02 million with the gap chiefly attributed to the increase of fore igners. As such, Singaporeans now make up approximately only 74% of the population size compared to 86.1% ten years ago.Importing Foreign TalentsThe rationale behind this is fairly apparent. Foreign talents are needed to boost the economy, create jobs and strengthen the countrys competitiveness (Goh Chok Tong, 2003). Singapores small population cannot produce enough talent whats more when the Brain Drain phenomenon is mounting (Lee Kuan Yew, 2003). Foreigners are needed. America has been a top-notch marketplace for ideas owing to its readiness to welcome foreigners into all industries. The Singapore government wishes to emulate this subject as well. Reasons for importing foreign talents includeFill in jobs which Singaporeans lack the expertise in or that we do not want to do pass on healthy competition among foreigners and locals, motivating locals to work harder upgrade their skills to compete on fair groundsEncourage fruitful diversity in creative thinking and value-adding innov ationFor instance, out of the 32 Chairmen of Statutory Boards, 12 were born outside Singapore and in the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, 51 out of the 87 musicians were foreign born. Many ministers were also born overseas Goh Keng Swee (Malacca), Rajaratnam (Ceylon), Toh Chin Chye (Taiping), Hon Sui Sen who joined later was from Penang. Without this inflow, Singapore could never have made it, let alone become what it is today.Nonetheless, many Singaporeans have raised questions over the following issuesManagerial positions and those of good pay benefits are taken up by expatriatesFear of second-class citizen treatmentNepotism over fellow foreigners, unfair gap in disposable income (foreign exchange difference) etc.6. Regionalisation In MandarinOur government has identified China, in addition to India and ASEAN nations, as the fashion to our regionalisation strategy. In 20 years time, China will be the second most powerful nation in the world after the U.S. probably the worlds larg est economy. Many non-Chinese will see the advantage of learning the Chinese language to do business in China. Therefore we must find ways to sustain a high level of proficiency in Mandarin in the Singapore. We have to reproduce a core group of Singaporeans who are steeped in and knowledgeable about the Chinese cultural heritage, history, literature, and the arts (Goh Chok Tong, 1991).More students are taking up the Higher Chinese subjectMore scholarships are offered to people learning and educating Chinese Language and LiteratureMore bilingual local Chinese are able to speak MandarinMore promotional and educational support e.g. interpret It If You Dare TV variety show, local pop idol Lin Jun Jie endorsing the Speak Chinese Campaign etc. are carried out actively7. ConclusionWe represent that regionalisation is today no longer a choice but very much a necessity. But as we encourage the dispersal of Singaporeans, there is a possibility that we are disposing them for good as our pyra mid of talents gets flattened, family gets disillusioned and foreign talents gets within. If Singaporeans are not deeply rooted to Singapore through strong bonds of family, friends, familiarity and nation, the core of our nation will be shattered. In a nutshell, regionalisation has a world of opportunities yields to offer to all of us as long as we effect our individual and collective rightful obligations with utmost virtuousness.