ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook (AREO) 2024: Navigating Tomorrow in Singapore

Despite the multiple shocks of 2023, the region has continued to perform remarkably well and will continue to do so in the near-term. However, this promising economic trajectory should not be taken for granted, especially in the face of major structural shifts. AREO 2024 delves into three major trends—aging, global trade reconfiguration, and rapid technological change. These trends are interacting in complex ways that make ASEAN+3’s long-term growth trajectory more opaque. Themed Navigating Tomorrow, this year’s thematic chapter focuses on how to navigate these cross-currents, managing their risks while taking advantage of the growth opportunities they offer.

In line with the Society's commitment to raise awareness and stimulate debate on key economic issues in Singapore, the ESS Annual Dinner has served as a platform, over the years, for eminent speakers and key policymakers to share their views on issues affecting Singapore, and trends and developments in the global economy. Well attended by policymakers, economists, businessmen, bankers, academics, and members of the ESS, the Annual Dinner provides an excellent networking platform and opportunities for the exchange of views on economic issues. Your presence at and support of the Annual Dinner will greatly facilitate and strengthen the ESS partnership of Singapore's growth and economic development, through public discussions of timely and relevant economic and social policies. This year, we have the privilege of hosting as our Guest-of-Honour and Keynote Speaker Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Singapore.

The Economic Society of Singapore (ESS) is pleased to invite nominations for the Outstanding Economics Teacher Award (OETA). Up to two OETA awards will be given to outstanding secondary school or junior college/ centralised institute teachers who have exhibited excellence in the teaching and learning of Economics.

As part of our educational outreach, the Economic Society of Singapore (ESS) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) co-organise an Annual Economics Seminar for Pre-University level students and their teachers/lecturers. The Seminar aims to broaden the appreciation and raise awareness of current economic issues of interest among students at the Pre-University Level.

AI is transforming our economy and changing many work processes e.g., automation of routine processes, chatbots to dispense advice, and writing tasks through the use of generative AI models. Discuss the use of AI and its implications on competition and consumer protection policy. How can the government protect competition and consumers without stifling the advancement of technology?

The announcement of Singapore’s FY2024 Budget on 16 February by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong is the inaugural Budget under Forward Singapore (Forward SG) that outlines the government’s key socio-economic priorities and our fund distribution to achieve them. Since Independence, the Budget has been our strategic financial plan to address the complex challenges confronting us, set our national priorities, and build a resilient future together.