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Lee Kuan Yew is considered the founder of modern Singapore and this is the story of how he transformed a third world country to a first world one. As he writes in the first page of the book - this is the story how to be build a nation out of a collection of immigrants and make a living for its people. The book is choppy in parts, however, the content is very good.
Lee Kuan Yew is a world treasure and should be mentor to the world's leaders. I recommend this book to all those in the Middle East and Africa to read as a blueprint to creating a vision and building a successful diverse society.
This is a story told in detail and with precision and political acumen. It truly reflects how a small speck of a country, abandoned by the Brits, threatened by Malaysia, and with nothing to lose, built up a multi-ethnic, diverse and undereducated society with no military into a powerhouse country and finacial center of East Asia.
One of the most courageous men of the 20th century and now mentor to his country of Singapore. But it is a relatively short time from absolutely nothing, to a country that has flowered and become a prototypical small but strong country for all to follow.
It is a wonderful story and full of struggles. Lee Kuaan Yew let's you in on the decision making in those earlier years, the right decisions as well as the wrong ones and how he and his small group of followers drew on their vision of the society that they wished to become.The outside record of his and his countrymen's accomplishments are there for all to see as well as the warts, too.
This should be read by leaders in the West in order to re-build fractured governments and societies. ACEMAN
Lee has come under criticism from domoncratic leaders of some of the G7 countries as being too autocratic, too demanding, but when you read his story and what he had to contend with to bring Singapore to the excellent state it is in to day, you can only admire the man. This book was wrtiien by the most impressive Leader of any demoncratic country. Lee kwan Yew has done an absolutely outastanding job of developing Singapore from a poor, island relation of Malaya's 'backwaters' struggling to survive on its own, to an extremely stable prosperous first world country.Mr. This book should be reprinted as a standard text for the humanities at Universities. I can't recommend this book more highly, maybe it should be read in conjunction with Chris Patten's book "East and West" published by MacMillan> Patten argues for less autocracy in Singapore, but without it, would Mr.Lee have been so successful - I don't think so.John GreenfieldEmeritusSenior AgriculturalistWorld Bank
What manufactured products does Singapore export.* The manufacturing industry is well-diversified with significant electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, mechanical engineering and biomedical sciences manufacturing sectors19. 70% of the companies have gone into operation and production.3. Which management style is the most productive: Japanese, South Korean, Hong Kong, or Singapore. Is Suzhou Industrial Park, friendly for living. * The monetary policy was designed to maintain currency stability* The policy centers on the exchange rate* Singapores import/exports are twice its GDP* The Monetary policy objective is to help Singapore growth12. The Singapore dollar is no longer tied to the dollar and plays a role along with the yen, for asset protection.9. * Eco City* The Tianjin Eco-city is a strategic cooperation project between China and Singapore to improve the living environment and build an eco-culture4. Singapore is very cash rich.5.
30 years of development has set the stage for more economic prosperity in Asia. How successful and useful has Suzhou Industrial Park been for China.* SIP has sustained 30% annual economic growth* As of 2008, SIP has attracted 3,299 foreign enterprises including 77 Fortune 500 Multinational corporations* Foreign investment stands at $33.96 billion* $50 billion in reserve currency. Singapore did inhibit population growth through higher fees after two children.* The CPF fund provided a guarantee and 2.5% earnings on accumulated funds by the government.* The first $60,000 in your combined Central Provident Fund balances, with up to $20,000 from your Ordinary Account, will earn an extra 1% interest. * Singapore has a capacity to refine 1.337 (bbl/d) million barrels of oil per day (as of 2007). What is the tax rate in Singapore.
* Japanese management style is more efficient, flexible, and innovative.11. Will China open more to western technology and become a nation, "ruled by law".6. Why did Singapore become the fourth largest financial center in market size following London, New York, and Tokyo, 1990s.* Singapore dollar was bought and sold by central banks on the foreign exchange. * As of April 2008, there are about 4,340 weekly flights operated by 80 airlines to over 130 cities in 59 countries.15.
Medisave required 33 percent of wages. Is the Singapore dollar linked to the US dollar. In rare cases foreigners are allowed to own property.10. Size is 8 sq kilometersQuestions:1.
7. Medisave covers 85 percent of Singapores population. Yew praised Japanese Management Style and Worker flexibility2. 18. * Singapore17.
Will Singapore's Central Provident Fund be used as a social pattern by China.* Singaporean must make monthly contributions to the Central Provident Fund, a forced contribution.* The Ordinary Account allows the Singaporeans to use savings to buy a home, pay for insurance, and invest in Government approved assets, and approved skills through education.* The Special Account is a retirement related financial product* Medisave Account - helps pay for medical care and medical insurance. In 1992, China and Singapore partnered to create an industrial park using Singapore style management designed to attract industries and bring Western technology into production.Under the leader of Deng Xiaoping, land and money were allocated for the development.1. Yew praised South Korean productivity and growth4. Suzhou is known for its historical gardens* Parks and recreation provide relief from the big city* Rent is about $200 a month for a Singapore citizenHow would you compare SIP to Tokyo.* Tokyo is a bigger and richer city with more technology, but has a underlying level of poverty.2. SIP has sustained an average economic growth of 30%2. Will China build other industrial parks using Suzhou as a model of Success.
How many tourist a year are visiting Singapore. How much petroleum did Singapore refine in 2008. Yew provided insight into China's vision of the future economic growth. * It was, but not now* The Monetary Authority of Singapore monitors the dollar value according to an undisclosed basket of goods16. Yew comments on the Dragon and the Bear tensions.6. Will Contracts and legal documents carry weight in China, as more foreign investment pours into China.* China will increase the value of contracts and legal documentation to attract foreign investment8.
* Suzhou is friendly environmentally and socially. Which Mass Rail Transit system is the best, Japan or Singapore. Many of the companies sales exceed $1 billion. How many cities, passengers and countries does Singapore Changi Airport service. The productivity of the country made the Singapore dollar a commodity to be bought and sold.
Yew praised Hong Kong, free market practices and initiative3. * Seng Hoe Hardware & Engineering Pte Ltd, Plurotech International Pte Ltd, Oceanmaster Engineering Pte Ltd 14. SIP has attracted over 3299 foreign enterprises, including 77 Fortune 500 Multi-national companies. * In 2007, close to 1.3 million European visitors travelled to Singapore - a growth of 4.6% over 2006. 20. What types of ship repair does Singapore engage in. What type of electronics does Singapore manufacturer.
* 55 % of the global production of Hard drives come from Singapore13. What is transportation like in Suzhou.* Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway* State Highways 204, 312 and 318* Suzhou-Jiaxing-Hangzhou Express Way* Singapore Airport3. Yew praised Taiwan's high tech leadership and growth5. Can you own private property in Singapore.* You can own private property, if you are a resident. What is the Monetary Authority of Singapore's policy to help increase the value of the Singapore Dollar. http://www.mahalo.com/answers/business/what-is-the-tax-rate-in-singaporeConclusions:1. Long term planning must include reasonable housing prices and retirement; job opportunity and increase skill training; a safe and non corrupt government; clean and health environment for social interaction; and a magnet for foreign business because abundant electricity, proper sewage treatment, available natural gas, and excellent transportation.
A refreshing and fascinating approach to recount Singapore history without the "sleeping pills" effect. Nice narration with comprehensive information. The content flows smoothly and once I started reading, it's difficult to stop. A must read for every Singaporean and individuals alike who wanted to know about Singapore's rise from third world to first. I have learned to appreciate Singapore ever more in the course of reading this beautiful book.
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