Singapore introduces entrepass

[george]

Slightly off topic but interesting visa news from Singapore:

Singapore introduces EntrePass

Singapore said yesterday it will introduce a new work visa programme aimed at attracting foreign entrepreneurs as part of efforts to reinvigorate the city-state's economy.

Business plans _ not income, education, or country of origin _ will be the main criteria for the new visa called EntrePass, which will start on Oct 31, the Manpower Ministry said in a statement.

``We recognise that good business ideas can come from people from all over the world, from all walks of life,'' acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said. ``To help our economy grow, we need to allow people with good ideas to enter Singapore.''

Officials say Singapore can no longer depend solely on the government driving economic growth as it struggles to climb out of the worst downturn in its 38-year history.

As part of its push to encourage small businesses, the government has created a minister for entrepreneurship.

Civil servants from various state agencies will decide who receives the new visa based on the growth potential of the proposed ventures and whether they think the applicants would be able to find funding, the statement said.

Previously, entrepreneurs wanting to establish businesses in Singapore were granted visas based on their level of wealth and education.

The visa will be valid for two years, after which it can be renewed for an additional three years.

--Bangkok Post 2003-10-24

[ASIC]

###### are they getting desperate down there.

ASIC

[Martin]

Clever move.

The Singapore 'managed environment' militates against lateral, inventive thinking, and always will (since Singapore is confined to a cramped little island, that is hardly more than a fair-sized sandbank in the South China Sea).

So import the results of lateral, inventive thinking. 'Brain drain' in reverse.

[ASIC]

Been there, tried that.

Problem is people only go there for the money and nothing else. After a couple of years there they will leave, being micromanaged to death by the Singaporean Government.

ASIC

[Martin]

You are right, ASIC. People only go to Singapore for money.

Talking to a hospital surgeon, he said "We call it The Good Office". By 'we', he meant chinese-Malaysians from Penang, KL etc..

He went on to say "We only come to the Office to work and earn money. Whenever we can we go off to somewhere civilised". And he was ethnic chinese!, like 75% of Singaporeans. Of all the people who I would have expected might find Singapore congenial, it was him.

But many Singaporeans, too, find they prefer other places, as they grow up.

Many who have studied abroad are anxious to emigrate as soon as they have worked through the period of the bond that they signed up to (to get their Scholarship to study abroad).

I developed a theory that there is a set of genes for 'city tolerance'. Some inherit all the set, and actually like cities. Some inherit none and can't stand being in a city at any price. The rest of us are in between, and can tolerate a city if it matches our price.

Singapore matched my price for a few years.

I think this means that S'pore will always have a big 'brain drain' problem.

Fifteen years ago, members of the cabinet were slipping it into their speeches that Singapore was now rich enough that salaries were high enough that professionals could work in S'pore, but still enjoiy mountains and wild places by going to them for holidays.

Whether it had any impact on the 'brain drain' I don't know.

[john b good]

"We only come to the Office to work and earn money"

If you asked any of the hoards of Thai girls at Orchard Towers of a night you'd get the same answer.

But they are definitely not associated with the "brain drain" in reverse theory