The Singapore Economic Roundtable (SER) is a biannual meeting of private-sector economists, business leaders and policymakers to discuss major cyclical issues facing the domestic economy and their implications for monetary and fiscal policy. Each edition includes a Special Session on a contemporary topic.
The first session will examine the cyclical economic outlook for Singapore, with background provided by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and responses from private sector economists.
The special session for the 45th SER will focus on chokepoints — areas of vulnerabilities for Singapore’s connectivity in Singapore’s sea lanes, air corridors and digital infrastructure. The conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has renewed global attention on strategic chokepoints and global connectivity networks, shifting reliance and anxiety towards the Strait of Malacca. Rising tensions have spurred discussions regarding regional tolling, airspace access and competing land bridge alternatives that could threaten Singapore's absolute dominance as a transit hub.
For Singapore and ASEAN, digital trade presents both a strategic opportunity and a test of regional integration. ASEAN economies differ widely in digital readiness and regulatory capacity, while firms — from MNCs running complex supply chains to SMEs expanding via platforms — seek faster, cheaper and more predictable cross-border processes amid evolving global rules influenced by cybersecurity risks, AI adoption and data governance competition.
The special session will explore the vulnerabilities of these sea lanes, air corridors, and even digital spaces and its impact on Singapore’s trade and economy, as well as for global connectivity patterns at large.
Click here for the programme.