DPM Teo Chee Hean at Spring Reception 2018

“建设一个更有活力，互相关怀的家园”

各位部长、
国会议员、
宗乡总会理事和代表、
华族文化中心董事、
基层领袖、
各位嘉宾：
大家好！

农历新年是阖家团圆的佳节。祝大家狗年旺旺，大吉大利！

今天，我要从两方面来谈:（一）经济和工作， 和（二）建设一个互相关怀的家园。

第一，经济和工作。去年，我国的经济成长是3.6%。今年，预计在1.5% 到3.5%。                                  

政府了解商家和国人在经济重组中面对的挑战。我们将继续和大家紧密合作，提高生产力，掌握新商机。

财政部长明天会发表政府的财政预算。虽然我们都希望有个大红包，但是更重要地是我们如何继续和商会，工会合作，帮助各企业转型，发展数码等科技。我们也会帮助工人有更多机会提升知识和技能。

第二，我们要继续互相关怀，为国人提供最好的成功机会。

政府会继续帮助国人成家，更快拥有组屋，养育孩子，照顾长辈。

这些年来，我们也加强社会支援系统，终身健保和公积金终身入息计划为国人提供更多保障。
我们的基础稳固，但是还是必须未雨绸缪，把握新的机会。

国人更健康，也更长寿。现在，我国大约有50万国人超过65岁。十二年后，这将达到90万。超过80岁的国人也会从10万，增加到20多万。

我们会关注医药保健，帮助乐龄人士安详晚年。我们也会确保政府有足够的财力，应付未来的需求。

建国一代为我们储备了资源。同样地，我们要为下一代准备，我们的孩子们才能有更好的基础和机会取得成功。

只要我们同心协力，我们就可以建设一个更有活力，人人互相关怀的家园。

我祝大家新年快乐！万事如意！恭喜发财！
 

English Translation

“Building a More Vibrant and Caring Home”

Fellow Cabinet Ministers,
Members of Parliament,
Members of Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA),
Members of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC),
Community and Grassroots Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning,

The Lunar New Year is a festive occasion for families to gather and celebrate.

I wish everyone good luck and best wishes for the Year of the Dog.

Today, I would like to speak to you on two key issues: (i) Our Economy and Jobs, and (ii) Building a Caring Home.

First, our economy and jobs. Based on preliminary estimates, GDP grew at 3.6%, supported by growth in manufacturing and productivity. This year, we expect economic growth to be between 1.5 to 3.5%.

The Government understands the challenges our businesses and Singaporeans face in this transformation journey. We will continue to work closely with our businesses to be more productive and seek new opportunities and markets.

The Minister for Finance will release the Government’s Budget tomorrow. Although everyone hopes for a “big red packet”, what is more important is how we continue to partner our trade associations and unions to help companies transform and develop new technologies such as in the digital economy. We will also help our workers to raise their knowledge and skills needed for the jobs of the future.

Second, we need to continue to look after each other, and create the best opportunities for our people to succeed.

The Government will continue to help Singaporeans start families, own homes faster, raise children and take good care of our seniors.

Over these years, we have been strengthening our social support system. We now have Medishield Life, and more flexible CPF Life plans to provide more assurance to Singaporeans for life.

Our fundamentals are strong, but we must continue to find ways to prepare for the future and seize new opportunities.

Our citizens are more healthy and living longer. Today, we have about 500,000 seniors aged 65 and above. 12 years later, we expect this to almost double to around 900,000¹. The number of citizens aged 80 and above will more than double - from nearly 100,000 today to some 200,000 by 2030².

Healthcare is one area where we will continue to support with more resources, and help our seniors lead active lifestyles. We need to ensure government finances remain sustainable, and are able to provide for our future needs.

Our founding generation has laid down a strong foundation for us and saved resources for the current generation. Similarly, we too must prepare for our next generation, so that our children can have a stronger foundation and the best opportunities to succeed.

Together, we can build a more vibrant and caring home. 

I wish all of you and your families good health, happiness and prosperity.

Happy New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

¹Department of Statistics. Number of citizens aged 65 and above will increase from 496,000 in 2017 to around 900,000 in 2030.

²Department of Statistics. Number of citizens aged 80 and above will increase from 98,000 in 2017 to around 208,000 in 2030.