the role of the state in an increasingly borderless world - Economic ...

Foreword
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), in collaboration with the Economic Society
of Singapore (ESS), jointly launched the MAS-ESS essay competition in 2001. Our objective in
this competition was to encourage students, economists, analysts, and other members of the
public to engage in deeper thinking and discussion about important global trends and policy
issues. In doing so, we hoped to foster greater awareness and understanding of such issues
among the wider public in Singapore.
The second MAS-ESS essay competition was held over April to September last year, on
the theme “The Role of the State in an Increasingly Borderless World”. We were heartened by
the good response to the competition, which saw a significant rise in both the number of
submissions as well as quality of the essays. Indeed, the ideas expressed in these essays offer
refreshing insights into the role of the state in the new and challenging economic landscape.
We have decided to compile the prize-winning essays, together with the keynote
address by DPM Lee Hsien Loong and welcome remarks by Dr Khor Hoe Ee, President of the
ESS, at the 2002 ESS Annual Dinner and MAS-ESS Essay Competition Awards Ceremony.
The essays are available for download on both the MAS and ESS websites, at www.mas.gov.sg
and www.ess.org.sg, respectively.
We hope that the MAS-ESS Essay Competition will go some way towards stimulating
greater interest and debate on economic issues in Singapore.
KOH YONG GUAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
May 2003
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