Talent-hungry Hong Kong can drop the hard sell and learn from Singapore

These constant, one-sided comparisons with Singapore expose Hong Kong’s insecurities and make the city look more like a hard sell when it should focus on learning from Singapore’s success in attracting global talent and diversifying its economy.

Hong Kong’s scheme also allows graduates, but only from the world’s top 100 universities. Singapore’s One Pass, however, does not require a university degree and offers a case-by-case approach for applicants who do not meet the income requirement of S$30,000 a month, roughly HK$2 million a year. As a young university dropout, Bill Gates would not have qualified for Hong Kong’s talent scheme today – by the time he could, he would have had many other options.

Hong Kong’s yardstick of income and academic achievement helps gauge capability and success but is hardly effective in helping find the most motivated and skilful global talent.

09:34

Indians born and bred in Hong Kong explain why the city will always be home

Singapore has invested considerably in youth leadership programmes with other Asean member countries. As an alumnus of the Singapore-funded Asean Youth Fellowship and the Temasek Foundation-Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s Southeast Asia Next-Gen Leaders Programme, I have experienced first-hand how such initiatives can advance collaboration and understanding between the region’s leaders of tomorrow, which can translate into business opportunities.

Additionally, Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute works with prominent Malaysian intellectuals through its Malaysia Studies programme, which encourages a thorough understanding of Malaysia and helps Singapore attract talent from its neighbour.

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Hong Kong leader John Lee vows deeper ties with Asean as gateway to mainland