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SINGAPORE -- Singapore needs to keep its doors open to global talent so foreigners can ?join us, become part of us, and contribute to our community,? said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng on Wednesday.
He said while Singaporeans must remain at the core, locals alone are not enough to meet the country's labor demands.
Last year, some 236,600 jobs were created.
While most of the positions go to locals, Wong said companies had to turn to foreigners to make up the shortfall.
He added Singapore remains a talent magnet for now but global competition for talent is intense.
?Whether we like it or not those who are capable and talented will go to places with better opportunities and where they feel welcomed. And if we Singapore do not welcome them, they will simply look elsewhere and they will then compete against us,? said Wong during the Committee of Supply debate.
He added attracting talent is not enough and the country must do more to retain them.
That's why integration is important, he said, noting examples of integration in schools, workplaces and neighborhoods.
In school, Wong cited two students from Myanmar and South Korea who are Head Prefect and Prefect respectively at Yu Neng Primary.
In the workplace, companies like PrivewaterhouseCoopers held a Chinese New Year 'lo hei lunch' for their foreign staff to get a taste of local culture and mingle with their Singaporean colleagues.
Wong also praised the good work by the People Association's Integration & Naturalisation Champions program where some 690 staff reach out to newcomers through community activities.
Since broadening the immigration criteria in 2004, Singapore has seen an average of 52,500 permanent residents and 12,800 new citizens granted every year.
Last year, there were 63,600 permanent residents and 17,300 new citizens.
