Nobels and Guns: run of days approaching the last week of March 2013‏ (revised Jan25)

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Yesterday a piece by the Nobel winning economist Stiglitz, taken from a U.S. publication, where he marveled at some length at the Singaporean transformation in these forty years, understandably given prominence on the Op-ed page of the Straits Times. 

         Per capita income, enviable sustained growth rate, impressive home-ownership, highly trained work-force, impeccably clean and transparent government (autocratically inclined though it may be, granted). 

         A man focused on figures and seeing the cleanliness and orderliness on brief visits feels none of the chill of sterility and hollowness. You might get a look askance and turn of the head at the suggestion.
          Today more good news of the same sort: Singapore has broken into the global top twenty of military producers. 

         The tiny Little Red Dot—the slighting moniker gifted by a former Indonesian leader and adopted defiantly by the roaring mouse—the Venice of the present day. Given its size a remarkable achievement indeed. This market product all from small-scale manufactures only. As the article reported, no submarines or other big-ticket items produced by the little minnow. The big production houses couldn't be challenged there. 

         In recent days somewhere around Clarke Quay & Raffles the champers was popping. Floral tributes are popular in the city centre when a new eatery, a new hairdresser opens shop. Perhaps stands of roses and lei for the CEO's concerned here. 

         The year before Singapore had stood at number 40 in the rankings of military production. Quite an eye-catching leap. If it can extend the off-shore production facilities—word is large land-mine factories have long been established in Myanmar—who knows? One could not discount further surprises. 

         Economists like Mr. Stiglitz could well be struck with more wonder and admiration in the not too distant future.
         Heat stoking up last week or two. The author striving to complete a round of revision and submissions, before hopefully getting off for a short look at Java Barat—West Java; Jakarta. The floods should be past; hopefully the volcano on the outskirts no more than keeping up the smoking.
          Watch this space.

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