Singapore profile pdf

In the most recent World Bank Human Capital Index , Singapore ranks the best country in the world in human capital development. Together with strong financial support from the government, the country continues to strengthen the nimbleness and flexibility of its workforce by providing continuing education such as the Skillsfuture initiative.

Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Singapore had received its first loan in under guarantee from the U. Government, and its second loan under guarantee from the Malaysian Federation, to which it then belonged. It received its third loan in after independence. Over the period to , Singapore received 14 loans from the World Bank. The first ten were exclusively in the infrastructure sectors and included water interconnection, port expansion, sewage, power and telecommunications - reflecting the recommendations of a World Bank analysis in of Singapore's economy.

By , Singapore's development focus expanded to investments in human capital and in the services sector, with the Bank supporting the capitalization of the Development Bank of Singapore DBS , the establishment of environmental management programs, and for the development of the national university. Support to infrastructure projects continued throughout.

By the mids, the loans were repaid. It inspires many cities and countries striving to reach a similar level of development within one generation. The World Bank Group Singapore office opened in September to share knowledge with local networks. Focused on advancing cross-border investments and mobilization of capital from and through Singapore, IFC also promotes urban development and the scaling up of disruptive technologies and new business models.

Additionally, IFC engages with regional agribusiness players to promote sustainable practices. Infrastructure Asia was established in by Enterprise Singapore, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a facilitation office for infrastructure and financing needs in the region, positioning Singapore as the regional infrastructure finance hub.

This MoU is designed to bring about cross-learning benefits to both the World Bank Group and the Singapore infrastructure ecosystem, through leveraging networks, expertise and knowledge, in areas of knowledge exchange, infrastructure finance, implementation and operations. Its trade-driven economy is heavily supported by foreign workers. The People's Action Party has dominated politics since the country declared independence from Malaysia in Issues such as the rising cost of living, immigration and income inequality are major challenges facing the government.

President: Halimah Yacob. Halimah Yacob was sworn in as Singapore's first female president in As a member of the Muslim Malay minority, she is also the country's first Malay leader in 47 years. She became the sole contender when the two other prospective candidates failed to meet eligibility requirements. It's the first time the presidency has been reserved for a particular ethnic group, as authorities seek to foster harmony in a multicultural society dominated by ethnic Chinese.

She was the Speaker of parliament before taking up the largely ceremonial post of president. Presidential candidates run as individuals because Singapore's head of state is supposed to be non-partisan. Prime minister: Lee Hsien Loong. A former army officer and Cambridge-educated mathematician, he followed his father into politics in at the age of As prime minister, Mr Lee has launched policies to build a competitive economy, introducing new programmes to upgrade the education system, investing in research and development and transforming the city-state.

Mr Lee has been involved in a very public feud with his siblings over their father's will. As the media hub for south-east Asia, Singapore is a strategic centre for the region's English-speaking audience.