Building a Stronger Singapore Together: Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally 2021
In his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 29), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outlined a vision for a stronger Singapore, built on the foundations of unity, resilience, and innovation. He emphasized the need for Singaporeans to work together to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in the post-COVID-19 world.
Unity: The Bedrock of Our Success
PM Lee stressed the importance of unity as the bedrock of Singapore’s success. He highlighted the country’s diverse population, with people from different backgrounds and beliefs living harmoniously together. He attributed this unity to Singapore’s strong social compact, which ensures that everyone has a stake in the country’s progress.
However, PM Lee cautioned that unity is not something to be taken for granted. He warned against the dangers of polarization and discrimination, which can undermine social cohesion and weaken the country. He called on Singaporeans to embrace diversity and respect different perspectives.
Resilience: Overcoming Challenges Together
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major test for Singapore’s resilience. PM Lee praised the country’s response to the crisis, highlighting the high vaccination rate and low mortality rate. He said that Singaporeans have shown great resilience and adaptability during this challenging time.
PM Lee also emphasized the importance of building economic resilience. He announced a series of measures to support businesses and workers, including the extension of wage subsidies and the creation of new jobs. He also called on Singaporeans to embrace lifelong learning and adapt to the changing demands of the workforce.
Innovation: Driving Progress and Growth
PM Lee identified innovation as a key driver of progress and growth for Singapore. He highlighted the country’s strong research and development ecosystem, which has produced world-class innovations in various fields.
He announced a number of initiatives to support innovation, including the creation of a new Advanced Research and Education Network (AREN) and the establishment of a new Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Council (RIEC). He also called on Singaporeans to be more innovative and entrepreneurial.
Conclusion
PM Lee concluded his speech by calling on Singaporeans to work together to build a stronger Singapore. He emphasized the importance of unity, resilience, and innovation as the pillars of the country’s future success. He expressed confidence that Singapore has the potential to overcome any challenges and emerge stronger than ever before.
Tables
Table 1: Singapore’s Vaccination Rate
| Age Group | Percentage Vaccinated |
|---|---|
| 12-19 | 93% |
| 20-29 | 91% |
| 30-39 | 90% |
| 40-49 | 90% |
| 50-59 | 89% |
| 60-69 | 88% |
| 70 and above | 86% |
| Source: Ministry of Health |
Table 2: Singapore’s Economic Support Measures
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Jobs Support Scheme | S$3.8 billion |
| Wage Credit Scheme | S$1.3 billion |
| Temporary Bridging Loan Program | S$1 billion |
| Enterprise Financing Scheme | S$500 million |
| Source: Ministry of Finance |
Table 3: Singapore’s Innovation Ecosystem
| Indicator | Rank |
|---|---|
| Global Innovation Index | 8 |
| Number of patents filed | 4,100 |
| Research and development expenditure as a percentage of GDP | 2.5% |
| Source: World Intellectual Property Organization, Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Table 4: Singapore’s Key Industries
| Industry | Value-added (S$ billion) |
|---|---|
| Electronics | 100 |
| Chemicals | 50 |
| Biomedical sciences | 20 |
| Infocomm technology | 15 |
| Precision engineering | 10 |
| Source: Economic Development Board |
