Economics

Singapore’s Future Won’t Look Like the One Before the Virus

  • Prime Minister Lee sees less prosperous, more troubled world
  • Lee’s address first in string of speeches in coming two weeks

A street stands deserted in Singapore, June 2.

Photographer: Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg
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Singapore won’t return to the open and connected global economy that existed before the island nation went into a partial lockdown two months ago due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

Singaporeans will have to prepare for a different, admittedly tougher future with rising unemployment as companies work to cope with slowing demand and movement restrictions from various governments, Lee said in a televised address on Sunday. It was the first in a string of speeches to be delivered by five more ministers in the coming two weeks as the island nation draws closer to general elections.