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koxinga
February 2nd, 2004, 09:42 PM
Had a long discussion with a friend from across the Causeway just now. These are some of the future bets that we had:

Currencies:
Yuan will reach 1 SGD to 20 Yuan within 10 years. Baht and Ringgit is also attractive at present rates. Sing dollar not that good over the years.

Property prices in Singapore:
Will continue to go South. HDB upgrading program is a waste of money as the price of property will continue to depreciate. Population growth will continue to decline for the next 10 years. Now popular housing estates like Bishan will be way cheaper than now. Best to save money and be cash rich for now.

Singapore economy:
Serious problems down the line. Govt tells us to cut cost but how far can it go? You cannot have a first world living standard/infrastructure/education and continue to pay the workforce developing world salaries. Labour cost is only a small part in the overall business cost in Singapore. Geography, english background and workforce will increasingly become irrelevant in the next 10 years. Singapore will still be around but competition will be very very tough.

chipmunk
February 2nd, 2004, 11:15 PM
Originally posted by koxinga
Had a long discussion with a friend from across the Causeway just now. These are some of the future bets that we had:

Currencies:
Yuan will reach 1 SGD to 20 Yuan within 10 years. Baht and Ringgit is also attractive at present rates. Sing dollar not that good over the years.

Property prices in Singapore:
Will continue to go South. HDB upgrading program is a waste of money as the price of property will continue to depreciate. Population growth will continue to decline for the next 10 years. Now popular housing estates like Bishan will be way cheaper than now. Best to save money and be cash rich for now.

Singapore economy:
Serious problems down the line. Govt tells us to cut cost but how far can it go? You cannot have a first world living standard/infrastructure/education and continue to pay the workforce developing world salaries. Labour cost is only a small part in the overall business cost in Singapore. Geography, english background and workforce will increasingly become irrelevant in the next 10 years. Singapore will still be around but competition will be very very tough. :confused: :confused: 1 SGD : 20 Yuan? Thought yuan will appreciate?

koxinga
February 3rd, 2004, 07:13 AM
Originally posted by chipmunk
:confused: :confused: 1 SGD : 20 Yuan? Thought yuan will appreciate?
That is appreciation. The value of yuan increases so SGD can buy lesser RMB.
Currently, 1SGD is around 40-5 RMB. Give and take afew yuans.