Raising Singapore's Profile via International Events
By Jason Lee
With the successful hosting of several high-profile events in recent years, Singapore has earned itself the reputation as an ideal MICE venue. But beyond economics, how would such events enhance the Singapore brand name?

While the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2011 is some two years away, officials in Hawaii have already expressed confidence that the event will allow the home state of US President Barack Obama to showcase its tourism opportunities and cultural diversity.

With more than 10,000 people, including 20 heads of state and their delegations, businessmen and journalists, expected to attend the summit, hopes have been raised that the event - which will be held at the Hawaii Convention Center in November 2011 - will generate publicity and awareness about what Hawaii has to offer...

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Tea Leaves Of The Economy: General Elections In 2010?
By Eugene Tan

Incumbent governments with good economic track records would typically capitalise on economic downturns to seize a political advantage by calling for early elections. Will the ruling People's Action Party do so next year in view of the strong economic performances in recent months?

Although the economic fundamentals suggest otherwise, it appears that the worst global economic downturn of 2008-2009 (dubbed the 'Great Recession') since the Great Depression has come and gone swiftly...

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Confidence In Gold On The Road To Recovery
By Albert Cheng

As investors begin to think once more about rebuilding their assets, Albert Cheng, Managing Director, Far East, World Gold Council, explains why a holding of gold provides investors with the security and confidence to plan for the future.

The fallout from the financial crisis has pervaded all sections of the investment community, eroding investors' wealth and confidence. Private investors, in particular, are still struggling to define a clear path forward to recovery...

Globally, it has been estimated that by the end of 2008, high net worth investors had lost around 20 per cent of their assets1; real estate investments had nearly halved; and global mutual funds had declined by $4.5 trillion2 in value. As we turn the corner of a new decade, rebuilding long term savings and investments represents a substantial challenge.

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A Sunny Outlook Ahead?
By Jason Lee

After a tumultuous year, it seems there are many reasons for us to feel optimistic in 2010. INVEST speaks with several industry watchers to find out more about the factors which should help transform Singapore's economic fortunes over the next 12 months. At the same time, what are the other factors which could hinder our recovery process?

It was an announcement Singaporeans had anticipated for a few months: "The recession in Singapore is over," Mr Ravi Menon, the permanent secretary with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), said at a media briefing in mid November...

The announcement in itself did not surprise observers. After all, hopes had been raised among many market watchers and economists that the worst of the crisis was indeed over as early as August when the MTI revealed that the economy grew 20.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2009.

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