Sustaining+Economic+Development+in+a+Globalising+World

What is Globalisation ? Process by which people, their ideas and their activities in different parts of the world become interconnected or integrated
 * Sustaining Economic Development in a Globalising World **

Key Driving Forces of Globalisation Developments in Transportation and Communications · In 19th century: widespread use of steam engines · In 20th century: ocean-going vessels, commercial jet aircrafts, containerization · Significance: greatly increased the movement of goods and people from one place to another · Efficient and integrated transportation infrastructure to facilitate movement: airports, seaports, railways, highways · Faster and more convenient communication via: telephone, electronic mail, fax, video conferencing · Satellite technology: allows for simultaneous transmitting and receiving of information · Optical Fibre systems: transmit large capacity of information at very high speed · Internet: consumers can access information more conveniently and efficiently Significance of advances in communication technology: Transnational Corporations (TNCs) can easily coordinate and control their worldwide activities Transnational Corporations (TNCs) · large global firms · operate in a number of countries · have production of service facilities outside their country of origin Why do TNCs set up their operations in different locations around the world? · source for new markets · lower cost of production How are worldwide operations controlled and coordinated? · By the HQ in the country of origin · Process to arrive at the final product? o source for component from around the world o assemble final product in another country Significance: economies around the world become more integrated Globalisation has led to: Increased Competition among Nations Investment and Market · TNCs: With globalization, countries face intense competition as governments compete with one another to attract the TNCs · Eg: Singapore’s port faces competition from Malaysia’s port at Tanjong Pelepas · Investors invest in a country: o where productions costs are low o incentives are offered to foreign investors · Result: The country ends up having well-developed industrial infrastructure · The country poses a strong challenge to other countries in the region When will investors not want to invest in a country? poor infrastructure political instability Talent · The workforce has had more opportunities to find employment in another country due to globalisation Widening Income Gap between the Rich and the Poor · Globalisation has brought about: rapid development in many countries as well as led to spread of poverty in other countries · Developed countries: own manufacturing activities so = rapid income growth · The rich in these countries continue to prosper because of better opportunities · TNCs: draw investments, skilled people, resources away from poor areas and relocate them in other regions that benefit them · Developing countries: face trade barriers from developed countries Unable to produce higher quality goods · The poor and lowly-skilled workers in these countries: face economic uncertainties such as retrenchment Result: increasing tension between rich and poor · Increased Awareness of Foreign Culture · People have become aware of different cultures HOW? Surfing the Internet, traveling, watching foreign movies Loss of Local Culture · Global brands dominate consumer market in developing countries · TNCs: have created a homogenous culture across the world · Globalisation: led to spread of pop culture · Result: influenced the youths, resulting in loss of local culture · Reaction to Globalisation: people are uncomfortable with advancement of foreign culture as it is seen as the foreign culture beliefs, cultures and languages is being forced upon the rest of the world · Natural Resources in developing countries as timber, oil and metals used up quickly · Developing countries more concerned with profits and markets o Result: Takes a toll on the natural environment · Problem with developing countries? Unable to implement and enforce environmental regulations Environmental Degradation · Deforestation and Related Problems · Deforestation: o for economic activities such as forestry, mining and cattle ranching o to plant cash crops, build factories, transport facilities (Indonesia) Problems: · soil erosion · extinction of flora and fauna · increase in flooding · haze (a result of burning forest fast as it is the cheapest and easiest way) · Effect of haze: not only caused environmental but also health problems and losses in terms of tourism Global Warming · Causes of global warming? Movement of goods via aeroplanes and ships, other modes of transportation · How? Production of large quantities of greenhouse gases (fumes) such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides leads to an increase in the average global temperature Environmental Management · increased awareness of environmental management · with a well-preserved environment future generation are able to use the resources to generate income · Result: ability to continue to enjoy high standards of living · energy use will increase by more than half over the next 25 years · China and India: will take up much of the energy increase due to rapid development and large-scale industrialization How to ensure a sustainable source of energy supply? · Conservation · Alternative energy sources: wind, solar, geothermal · But alternative sources of energy are costly to arrive at. How are the strategies carried out? Singapore ’s goal: centre for technology-intensive, high-value added manufacturing Activities egs: chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals Singapore ’s direction: Life Sciences, attract TNCs (high value-added manufacturing) o Life Sciences: How to ensure development? o Need for Research and Development, - so set up A*STAR - Research institutes set up ·  TNCs: o generates jobs o affirms S’pore’s position as a manufacturing hub · Education: o International Universities have set up branches in S’pore o Significance? Singapore will be able to create a strong university sector that attracts Talent · Tourism: (Service Industry) o need to keep up with competition in the region o Tourist destination – building of IRs: Significance: Singapore will become a choice tourist destination in SEA and generate economic benefits SMEs: important providers of jobs Supplies TNCs with components in the manufacturing industries Result: enhances Singapore’s attractiveness as   a. regional manufacturing hub b. service hub Problems with SMEs: a. unable to cooperate with big corporations which have more resources b. lack expertise in using advanced technology to keep operations up-to-date c. shortage of skilled professionals to manage the company (because family-run) d. lack capital to venture into overseas markets (because small domestic market) Solution: Loan schemes where banks provide assistance Training: regular seminars and workshops organized for members to   enhance their capacity Tax Exemption for new companies Regionalisation: invest in countries with abundant land and lower labour costs and new markets Country that is investing provides capital and expertise to develop Industrial parks in host countries Benefit: promotes development in the region Eg: Suzhou Industrial Park, International Tech Park in Bangalore, India SingTel Groups: ventured abroad (in the region) Expanded into overseas markets Investments in over 20 countries Benefit; Ensures Singapore’s long-term growth Singapore has International Investments as well Overall Benefit: ensures Singapore’s economic growth is maintained With Singaporeans relocating overseas, studying abroad and choosing to live there and work there, may result in Singaporeans becoming less emotionally rooted to Singapore Singapore ’s domestic market is small local companies have to sell their goods to a larger market to establish trade ties How to expand market reach? o sign Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with other countries o setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZ) uses tax and business incentives to attract foreign investments Singapore lacks natural resources Have to take care of natural environment so future generations can continue to  enjoy clean and green environment How to manage resources efficiently? Developing People HOW? a. Promoting local Entrepreneurship and Technopreneurship Local entrepreneurs should take risks in their business ventures and come up with new products to compete with foreign countries How to promote entrepreneurship? Amend bankruptcy laws: Why? entrepreneurs who have failed can start a business again Recognising local entrepreneurs who have struggled and succeeded b. Promoting Continuous Learning Among the Workforce Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) ensures that workforce remains competitive Skills upgrading provided for workers by WDA: for new job demands and changing work environment Skills Development Fund (SFD) provides financial assistance to employers to train and upgrade skills of their workers Attracting Foreign Talent Why? · to meet manpower needs of a knowledge-based economy · brings with it overseas business contacts · creates more business opportunities and jobs in Singapore · make up for the lack of local expertise who have specialized skilled (craftsmen, artists) Managing the Environment · Environmental preservation is crucial to sustainable development Managing Limited Land Resources · to allow for high standard facilities for housing, transportation, recreation, commerce, defence and education · Benefit: Singapore enjoys a good quality of life · Ensures Singapore’s sustained growth in globalising world Land reserved to preserve natural sites Land allocated for waste disposal Cooperation with Regional and International Organisations · Regional Level: o Singapore cooperated with ASEAN on haze issue: Singapore hosted the ASEAN o Ministerial Meeting on Haze in 1997 to discuss matters to combat the problems · International Level: o Singapore worked with other countries to work on global environmental problems o Eg: signed agreement to phase out use of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs Public Education people must be educated on understanding environmental protection · adopt environmental friendly ways · have a sense of responsibility · take personal interest in keeping surroundings clean · students encouraged in taking part in recycling and waste minimization programmes · shoppers encouraged: reduce excessive use of plastic bags eg: BYOBD programme
 * TRANSPORTATION **
 * COMMUNICATION **
 * Impact of Globalisation **
 * 1) Economic Impact
 * Improvement in Standard of Living
 * increase in income levels, more revenue earned due to increased investments in a country
 * Revenue earned used for: education, housing, health, defence and transportation
 * Increase in lifestyle choices (ie: instead of buying local products, now have the choice to buy the same product made in other countries)
 * Significance: people enjoy benefits, have a higher standard of living and a better quality of life
 * 1) Social Impact
 * 1) Environmental Impact
 * taking place at a rapid rate
 * to make way for development of industries, agriculture, housing and transportation
 * Singapore **** ’s Strategies to Maximize Opportunities and Overcome Challenges in a Globalizing World **
 * 1. **** Diversifying the Economy in the following areas **
 * Research and Development
 * Manufacturing Hub
 * Education Hub
 * Tourism Hub
 * 2. **** Nurturing Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)  **
 * 3. **** Venturing Abroad  **
 * Impact **
 * 4. **** Expanding Market Reach Through Economic Cooperation **
 * Benefit ** : brings closer economic collaboration by legally binding countries
 * Benefits ** : less stringent economic laws than those in other parts of the ountry
 * 5. **** Managing Resources Efficiently **