1. The publication of this book culminates the year-long centennial celebration of the SCCCI. Probably everything that should be said about the achievements of SCCCI has already been said. The history of SCCCI has been a glorious one, playing a critical role in the pre- and post-Independence history of Singapore.
2. Looking ahead, the SCCCI will continue to play a crucial role as Singapore enters a new phase. In the past, our strategy was to outrun the competition and stay ahead. Now, with so many other countries joining the race, we cannot just depend on running faster. We must learn to fly. And we are beginning to. Flying requires different skills and instincts from running. We have been preparing for this transformation for some years and the results are beginning to show.
3. Economically, there is today an air of optimism about Singapore's future. In the book we are launching today, the SCCCI is looking forward to a Golden Era. Our growing links to China, Vietnam, India, the Middle East and other countries are opening up many new opportunities for us. Singapore's international reputation - Singapore's brand name - is an asset. For the SCCCI, our advantage is not just our links to the international Chinese network, it is also our ability to work with other networks in the world like the Indian network, the Islamic network, the Japanese network and the Western network. We can't do this on our own in SCCCI. We have to work not only with the other Chambers in Singapore and the Singapore Business Federation but also with chambers and business federations in other countries.
4. Politically, we have good relations with all our important economic partners. From time to time, there could be problems like the present one with Thailand. We take such problems in our stride. In the case of Thailand, I am confident that we will be able to put relations back on track because not only are our links with Thailand extensive and deep-rooted, we also share many common interests. I have written to my counterpart FM Nitya Pibulsonggram to thank the Thai Government for the special effort it made to ensure the well-being of our soccer players and supporters during the recent Finals in Bangkok. We support the efforts of the present Thai Government in quickly restoring consitutional rule based on justice and fairness. We wish the Thai people well because that is in our own best interest. In cultivating good relations with other countries, the SCCCI can always play a helpful role. Business operates on the basis of win-win relationships and that is the surest basis for good relations between countries.
5. With our two immediate neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia, our overall relations are improving. If they prosper, we too will benefit. Here, again, the SCCCI can push the process along together with their counterparts in Indonesia and Malaysia. All this will benefit our people. So long as we take a practical approach, the difficulties that are bound to arise from time to time can be overcome.
6. In this new world of globalisation, we must be adept in operating multiple networks. The Government can only do so much. Non-governmental networks, especially business networks, will matter more and more. Among ourselves we must have the instinct to share information and coordinate our efforts so that Singapore as a whole is more effective. Wherever we are, as companies and as individuals, we must make contributions to local communities and to the networks of which we are a part. This is a moral responsibility. No country can be an island in a networked world. It is also in our own enlightened self-interest to have a reputation for doing good work and supporting worthy social causes.
7. Although not without risk, this new phase in Singapore's development is an exciting one. Our little red dot is morphing into a global network. SCCCI will be an important energy source for the Singapore network of the 21st century. I thank the members of the SCCCI for your splendid work and wish you every success in the coming years. I also thank all our foreign friends for your support and good wishes. I wish everyone here good health and prosperity in the coming Year of the Pig.