A tribute to Singapore by sand artist Lawrence Koh

Amazing Artist

Singaporeans Are The Fastest In The World To Become Millionaires

Isn't this amazing? We are a country with nothing. Not even drinking water. Look what we have achieved in 48 years. Nope! I am not a millionaire....yet. But I am glad to be in the country that I have the highest chance to become one. Proud to be a Singaporean.

Here is the full text from Forbe Asia.

Singapore is home to some of the wealthiest people in the world. (Photo credit: Arian Zwegers)

It takes most Singaporeans less than 10 years to become a millionaire. That is the fastest rate anywhere in the world, says a wealth report released by the Barclays Bank on July 5, 2013 in Singapore.

The Bank surveyed 2000 high net worth individuals globally in early 2013 to ascertain how entrepreneurs, business leaders and investors make, spend and share wealth.  The respondents were individuals with net worth of more than $1.5 million. A  fifth of the 500 interviewed were based in Asia.

While the popular belief is that the wealth of millionaires in Singapore has come from the dramatic rise in property prices over the years,  that is only partly true.  According to the survey, 72% of the wealth was made from personal investments, followed by 58% from property and 55% from savings through earning and bonuses. (Respondents could choose multiple answers).

The financial crisis too, despite its seismic economic, political and social fallout, the world over, enabled close to 50% of the rich Singaporeans to increase their wallet size. This was mainly on the back of a buoyant Straits Times Index (STI) that doubled in value from 2008 to 2013. Regional bourses in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia showed a similar vibrancy. A quarter of Singaporeans interviewed said their wealth had jumped five-fold or more over their lifetime.

However, considering the highly -integrated nature of the island state’s economy, Singapore’s rich also experienced the highest fluctuation in their fortunes; more any other country.   Almost 70% said their wealth was volatile and moved “a great deal” overtime.

When it comes to spending, despite headline grabs of $26,000 cocktails, Ferrari-speckled roads in Singapore, the survey reports that Singaporeans  use 61% of their money for saving  and investing, just a notch behind their Chinese brethren in Hong Kong at 66%, and ahead of mainland Chinese who  would put 58% of their money to work in banks or the stock market. The second most popular use of money among Singaporeans was on travel and social activities (16%). Only 7 per cent spent on cars, jewelry or collectibles. This is in sharp contract to the new rich in India where 17% are spending on tangibles like cars, homes or jewels.

And what is the psyche of a typical Singaporean on sharing wealth?  He would rather gain personal fulfillment and a sense of purpose in life.  While 13% Singaporeans prefer to pass on their assets in inheritance, more than 50% want to give their wealth to charity. And they prefer to do it in their lifetime.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/neerjajetley/2013/07/08/singaporeans-are-the-fastest-in-the-world-to-become-millionaires/

NDP 2013 is hotter than ever

This year NDP proved to be yet another hit. 4 more days to go and the number of searches on the keyword "NDP" at google has overtaken the result of last five years.

NDP 2013 Story

Horses debut at National Day Parade
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/horses-debut-at-national/764352.html

Sembawang, Bedok residents take part in National Day celebrations
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sembawang-bedok-residents/764732.html


Full house for NDP at many Marina Bay hotelshttp://www.relax.com.sg/article/news/full-house-for-ndp-at-many-marina-bay-hotels


PM's National Day Message to be broadcast on MediaCorp TV & radio stationshttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/pm-s-national-day-message/766914.html

Greetings from USA

http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/08/212866.htm

Greetings from Philippines
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/08/national-day-of-singapore-today/#.UgR9iZIwevM


Greetings from India
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/president-extends-greetings-to-singapore-on-national-day-113080800607_1.html


A cute blog
http://www.dancinggreenly.com/pictoquote-happy-national-day-singapore/


A fashion blog
http://wardrobetrendsfashion.com/wtfs-national-day-style-gift-ideas/


An international blog
http://thediplomat.com/asia-life/2013/08/many-storiesone-singapore-lion-city-marks-national-day/


First national day baby this year born at Mt Alvernia Hospitalhttp://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/first-national-day-baby-year-born-mt-alvernia-hospital-20130809


Jln Bintang Tiga residents mark National Day with get-together 
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/jln-bintang-tiga/770466.html


THE SUN SHINES ON SINGAPORE (Local blog)
http://thesunshineson.wordpress.com/2013/08/10/national-day-celebration-not-protest/


Happy National Day, Singapore! Majulah, Singapura!
http://toysrevil.blogspot.sg/2013/08/happy-national-day-singapore-majulah.html


Singapore celebrates the national day on Friday, with good news
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Singapore-celebrates-the-national-day-on-Friday-wi-30212294.html


Singapore National Day – Phuket Lifestyle
http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuketlifestyle/2013/Singapore-National-Day-Phuket-Lifestyle-21908.html


President Tony Tan thanks NDP organisers, participants
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/president-tony-tan-thanks/770624.html


Singaporeans celebrate National Day in Beijing
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singaporeans-celebrate/771436.html

NDP 2013 Grand Finale (Rehearsal) Video

NDP 2013 Grand Finale (Full Dress Rehearsal)

Grand Finale of NDP2013 (Rehearsal) at the floating plaform with remix of many past national day songs and full 5 mins of fire works with MBS and Marina Financial centre as backdrop. NDP 2013 is Emceed by Siti Khalijah Zainal, Vernetta Lopez, Gurmit Singh and Sebastian Tan

F16 fly past NDP 2013 (Rehearsal) Video

Amazing F16 of the RSAF with a double shackle maneuver flying past the floating platform with the NDP parade contingents and guard of honour fully formed at NDP 2013 (Full Dress Rehearsal).

Singapore flag fly pass NDP 2013 (Rehearsal) Video

Singing of Singapore National Anthem during NDP 2013 rehearsal while the Gigantic Singapore flag fly pass the floating platform with Marina Bay and MBS as backdrop. The NDP 2013 rehearsal was inspected by the Speaker of Parliament Mdm Halimah Yacob.