Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam wants to emulate Singapore by having her government play a more active role..
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam wants to emulate Singapore by having her government play a more active role.
Despite its laissez-faire tradition, the Hong Kong government needs to intervene more if it wants to compete with other economies, she said in an interview with The Straits Times yesterday.
“The government has to provide vision and leadership, and this is where I think we have a lot to learn from Singapore, ” said Mrs Lam, 60, who is visiting the Republic next Wednesday and Thursday in her first official trip as Chief Executive.
She praised the city-state’s Government for its initiative, capability and how it is proactive, adding that this means it is very strong in execution.
Her government faces more obstacles in passing legislation as it does not have representatives in the Legislative Council, she said, unlike the Singapore Government, which has a strong presence in Parliament. In Hong Kong, the chief executive cannot be part of a political party.
Still, the Hong Kong government can learn from Singapore by taking on a more active role in promoting the city and attracting more foreign investors, said Mrs Lam.
Hong Kong’s new leader noted earlier this year that the city had fallen behind its chief Asian rival, Singapore.
