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Singapore : The Gateway to South-East Asia |
Singapore at a glance
Advanced and multicultural, the vibrant city-state of Singapore fuses traditional Asian and European cultures with the advantages of modernity and progress. Dazzling skyscrapers and restful parks coexist with the click of mah-jongg tablets and the Muslim call to prayer. Safe and well organised, the city represents a great opportunity to enjoy a range of different Asian cultures.
Modern history cast Singapore as an emporium and nowadays its shops offer the finest goods from all around the world. Chinese, Malaysian, French and American cuisines are served in smart restaurants and busy eating centers, winning the island a world-class reputation for excellence in dining.
|  | Singapore, the diamond-shaped island off the southern tip of Malaysia, is an unlikely success story. Once a simple fishing village, it was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, an official of the British East India Company, who decided it was the perfect location as a trading station. Since then it has become one of the world’s most successful and prosperous cities, known as the Lion City.
The Central Buisness District (CBD) is located in the heart of the island of Singapore. Here, especially at the mouth of the Singapore River, Asian tradition meets modern technology – gleaming skyscrapers tower over traditional architecture, while squat Chinese and Hindu temples stud the city. A curious blend of ancient and modern, the city is home to an ethnic mix of Chinese, Malaysians and Indians, as well as ex-pats from all over the world, in a predominantly English-speaking society. These different races live harmoniously thanks to religious tolerance, increased prosperity, stringent no-nonsense laws and a constant balmy equatorial heat.
Since the island became an independent Republic in 1965, it has enjoyed a vigorous and successful free trade policy, as introduced by its then Prime Minister (now Minister Mentor) Lee Kuan Yew. This has led to an unprecedented rise in the standard of living (most city dwellers own their own homes) and exponential economic growth, due mainly to the export industry. Its healthy economy was dented between 2001 and 2003 during the global recession and slump in the technology sector, and it suffered a heavy loss in tourist numbers after the terrorist attacks of September 11. There was a further drop in the number of visitors to
the region during the SARS outbreak at the end of 2003. A subsequent recovery, however, has seen unemployment fall from 6% in 2002 to 3.4% in 2004.
Having had its successful streak, Singapore leaders seem hellbent to not allow Singapore to go through the lifecycle of most successful states- one of rise, torpor and decline. As such, Singapore, with intensive government backing, has launched multiple bids to maintain a continued relevance globally. Much has been made about the relaxation of its image and regulations- the controversial bartop dancing, the much debated sanctioning of casinos, and the promotion of Singapore as an arts and cultural centre. |
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