We live in unsettling times. Changes are sudden, dynamic and oftentimes unrelenting. The way we conduct our business, interact, work and live continues to revolve around the Covid-19 pandemic amidst the rapid pace of digitalisation and technological advances. Great wealth is now amassed in less than a decade instead of over generations; widening wealth gap and income inequality continue to put pressure on social cohesion. Choked up supply chains, inflation, geopolitical tensions and other developments converge, making even more uncertain what is already an uncertain world.
Forging ahead with courage is like walking into a fog. We have a sense of what the future might hold without absolute certainty that it will pan out exactly in the way we desire. Waiting for the fog to completely lift before we act gives certainty, but at what cost? Others would have already sprinted way ahead. We must garner first-mover advantage by taking calculated steps to invest into the future. Having a headstart allows us to recalibrate as the future continues to unfold.
It is in this spirit that this year’s Budget ploughs significant investments into building the new future — as one people, one nation. These investments focus on immediate needs and the years ahead.
