The Infonnation Sector in Singapore: Measuring Its Size and Economic Effects

Economic planners in Singapore have recognised the importance and vitality of information technology and have mounted a holistic approach in encouraging it. Institutional and manpower support initiated by the public sector has. shown favorable results but the field remains very competitive among newly-industrialising countries. From a conceptual framework based on incipient theories on information technology, this paper makes an attempt to measure the size of the information sector in Singapore using an input-output methodology. The results are found to be favourable although a number of caveats may be raised regarding its apparent import dependency and foreign exchange earning capabi­ lity which has turned from positive to negative over the ten-year period, 1973 - 1983. Other ''issues concerning the institutional framework both domestically and internationally to support the sector efficiently and flexibly are also raised. Policy implications from the r(!sults of the input-output analysis are made to consolidate and reinforce current policies to promote information technology in Singapore. ABSTRAK

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