SMU Associate Professor Chen Liang's commentary discusses DeepSeek's impact on AI competition by emphasising efficiency and open-source innovation over expensive infrastructure. This challenges Silicon Valley and prompts US and Chinese tech firms to adapt. US restrictions on AI chips have boosted China's AI growth, potentially spurring American innovation. Ultimately, the nation that encourages agile startups and collaboration will lead the AI race.
China's draft Private Economy Promotion Law aims to prohibit illegal fees and unauthorised restrictions. Scholars view this as a signal of government support for the private sector ahead of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian noted that discussions on the law and related media coverage emphasise the government's focus on private enterprises. He expects China to introduce measures to support the private economy during the upcoming Two Sessions in March.
SMU Professor Emeritus of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Practice) Pang Eng Fong and a colleague noted that while Singapore's Budget 2025 is lauded for addressing high living costs with short-term subsidies, it overlooks market distortions from state policies on land, labour, and exchange rates. They argued that these subsidies, particularly for higher-income individuals, may foster an entitlement culture and delay essential economic restructuring.
The rise of fresh juice and smoothie vending machines, led by iJooz, has transformed Singapore's convenience food market with over 1,500 installations. SMU Associate Professor Hannah H. Chang observed that iJooz capitalised on market timing and hygiene concerns, especially after Q Orange lost consumer trust. New entrants like Fresh & Pure and Hale Smoothies are targeting niches with sugarcane juice and blended smoothies for busy professionals
SMU Professor Emeritus of Finance Annie Koh discussed Budget 2025, emphasising the need for grants beyond CDC vouchers and advocating higher wages through improved productivity. She highlighted the importance of attracting foreign companies for stability, addressing declining fertility rates with better childcare support, and promoting part-time courses online. Prof Koh stressed the need to ensure Workfare and SG Credit schemes complement each other, with the biggest challenge being worker motivation to utilise SkillsFuture opportunities.
On 17 February, Xi Jinping met with private entrepreneurs, signalling support for the private sector. This underscores the government's hope that private businesses will boost economic growth and innovation amid economic pressures. SMU Associate Professor Fu Fangjian noted that the forum initially boosted the stock market, but recent official statements led to profit-taking and a pullback, which he called normal.
SMU Professor Emeritus of Finance (Practice) Annie Koh has been instrumental in expanding Singapore's global network and contributing to its reservoir of goodwill abroad, said Associate Professor (Practice) at SUSS Institute for Adult Learning Terence Ho. In his commentary on building Singapore's national brand, Assoc Prof Ho shared that Prof Koh had introduced Singaporeans and participants from various nationalities to visiting dignitaries she knew from the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos.
SMU Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Jared Nai shared tips for managers to support non-drinkers in the workplace. He suggested offering non-alcoholic options at events, maintaining open communication channels, and ensuring fair performance evaluations. He also advised non-drinkers on setting healthy boundaries at gatherings.
SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh discusses how Budget 2025 will need to consider both short-term incentives and long-term challenges amid an upcoming election and geopolitical uncertainties.
With household incomes on the rise, SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh highlights that the 1.4% increase in real incomes, after adjusting for inflation, has strengthened households’ purchasing power, better equipping them to manage their cost of living.
