SINGAPORE : The Singapore economy will continue to gain momentum through this year, says Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang.
Speaking at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Chinese New Year celebrations on Wednesday, he says that, looking back, the Year of the Monkey was a good year.
After several difficult years, the Singapore economy rebounded strongly to 8.1 percent growth last year; and the global environment is positive.
The economy is forecast to grow between 3 and 5 percent this year.
Mr Lim adds that as more Singapore-based companies internationalise, he hopes to see Singaporeans penetrating new markets.
In particular, for Singapore companies to succeed in their China ventures, he stresses it is important that they must understand the mode of doing business in China.
Hence, the need to continue to encourage the younger generation to use the Chinese language in their daily lives.
Mr Lim noted that the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce Institute of Business has developed an excellent curriculum of Chinese language courses for working Singaporeans and people from other nationalities.
The Institute has also established a Tourism Culture Academy to train tourist guides in Mandarin.
He says these initiatives are useful in creating a more welcoming environment for Chinese-speaking tourists. - CNA