Ideas

The combination of longevity and a decline in birthrate engenders a pressing economic and social need for innovation. Although population ageing poses a double whammy to public spending and productivity, a technology-driven silver economy ecosystem is poised to meet the unique demands of an ageing population.

Drawing on the Russia-Ukraine war, we observe that ESG framework is not set in stone and will be evolving based on changing global landscape. The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) community was flabbergasted and alarmed at talks on labelling weapons as sustainable ESG assets with the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war. Supporters justified this by claiming weapons maintain peace and “are of key importance to uphold and defend democracy, freedom, stability and human rights”. And this may not be the first time ESG investing is dealing with such controversial debate, with industries and companies moving from outcast to hero status…

A good ecosystem is built on the five pillars of startups, risk capital, institutes of higher learning, corporations, and public agencies. It is underscored by the community and expanded through internationalization. Singapore’s past two decades of driving entrepreneurship through a public-private partnership in the form of the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) have seen many unicorns created and anchored in Singapore, funded by top local and international investors, founded and staffed by graduates of IHLs, helped by and helping corporations, and largely aided by friendly rules and regulations. Strong relationships between Vietnam and Singapore at many levels have seen both…

Connected fitness, wearables, and sustainable spaces demonstrate the advancements of South Korea’s creative economy. The digital and creative industries are at a crossroads, with the global COVID-19 pandemic providing an unavoidable backdrop in its trajectory. The creative industry in Southeast Asia thrived even before the pandemic. Singapore is the world’s tenth largest exporter of creative goods—products from areas like film, art, music, and crafts—generating USD 743 billion in profits and 12.7 million jobs. Thailand and the Philippines are also committed to growing their creative economy, establishing the Thailand Creative Economy Agency (CEA) and filing the Philippines Creative Industries Act. South…

Entertainment producers from Korea see Southeast Asia as the next stepping stone. The dystopian South Korean series “Squid Game” has become a global phenomenon and pop culture sensation, attracting 111 million viewers on Netflix in less than a month after its debut in September 2021. In February, the world’s most popular streaming platform announced plans to spend USD 500 million this year alone on series and films produced in South Korea, demonstrating the draw of the nation’s entertainment creations. With its gripping story, twisted children games, and a terrifying doll that chants, “Mugunghwa kkoci pieot seumnida” (“the hibiscus flower has…