This book is a spin-off from a highly successful seminar series jointly organized by the Division of Economics of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) of Singapore. The seminars discuss contemporary domestic and regional economic issues and public policies that are relevant to the everyday lives of Singaporeans. The wish to introduce these economic issues to a broader audience outside the confinement of a lecture theatre, came to fruition, with the completion of this book.This book contains 13 chapters that are grouped under three sections. Under the section, “Public Policies and Economic Issues of Singapore”, Singapore's public policies in the areas of healthcare, Central Provident Fund, and monetary policy are explored, as well as issues concerning Singapore's economic development, such as economic transformation, innovation and capital accumulation are discussed. The second section, “Singapore and the Region in a Globalized World”, looks at the challenges and opportunities presented to Singapore and the region in an increasingly globalized world. Current issues on the sub-prime crisis and Asian monetary integration are also discussed. The last section, “Other Economic Issues”, consists of papers in specific areas such as economics of medical decisions, economics of love, and the role of exchange rates in foreign direct investment.
