The Front Row Podcast

Jamus Lim is an Associate Professor of Economics at ESSEC Business School and a Member of Parliament in Singapore. With a PhD from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and experience at the World Bank and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority , his work spans international economics, political economy, and development. In this episode, we discuss how Singapore and other NIEs succeeded and what the possible ways forward are. 00:00 Intro & Trailer 01:43 Why NIEs02:22 Understanding Heterogeneity Among Asian Economies06:36 The Contrast Between Singapore and Other NIEs08:16 Hong Kong vs. Singapore: Economic Divergence16:17 Was The Asian Miracle A Myth?20:49 India's Unique Economic Experiment24:41 How Singapore Can Stay Ahead28:04 Balancing Growth and Equality33:23 Are Wealth Taxes (Actually) Viable?47:31 The Tension of Being A Global Hub56:58 Urgent Problems Singapore Needs To Solve01:05:48 Advice For Graduating StudentsThis is Episode 46 of The Front Row Podcast. Full transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: keith@frontrow65.coGet access to every episode by subscribing for free on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/keith-yap8 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/front-row/id1771599400

Join historian Elizabeth Ingleson, a professor at LSE and author of 'Made in China,' as she delves into the critical shift in US-China trade dynamics since the 1970s. She discusses Nixon's pivotal policies and how American firms redefined China from a consumer base to a labor force. Discover the impact of the 1974 Trade Act and the devaluation of American labor. Ingleson also explores the current tensions in US-China relations and offers sage advice for graduates on balancing work and personal life while making a positive impact.

Professor Joseph Chinyong Liow is one of Singapore’s leading scholars on international affairs, known for his incisive analysis of Southeast Asian politics. He is serving as the Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he now holds the prestigious Tan Kah Kee Chair in Comparative and International Politics. He was the former Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at NTU.Beyond Singapore, Professor Liow has made a significant impact globally. He was the inaugural Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., where he also served as a Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Trailer & Intro01:21 Defining Great Powers05:33 Cold War Dynamics in Southeast Asia08:41 Formation of ASEAN and US Engagement15:05 ASEAN's Response to Changing Landscapes19:44 Vietnam As A Case-Study26:58 American Unipolar Moment31:55 Is The US Values-Driven?38:49 Do Southeast Asian States Even Want America Here?44:56 Singapore's Role in U.S.-China Relations53:12 ASEAN's Future: Collective Action in a Changing Landscape54:49 Advice For Graduating StudentsFull transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: keith@frontrow65.coGet access to every episode by subscribing for free on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/keith-yap8 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/front-row/id1771599400

Cedric Chin, CEO & Founder of Commoncog, dives into the dynamics of Asian business empires. He reveals that cognitive agility is crucial for success in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the unique market structures that differ from the West. Cedric discusses why corruption isn't the only factor in business success and identifies essential skills for aspiring tycoons. He shares insights on the high concentration of conglomerates and explores strategies for navigating investment opportunities. Plus, there's valuable advice for fresh graduates entering the competitive job market.

Karthik Nachiappan, a Research Fellow at ISAS, specializes in India's foreign and economic policy. He discusses India's aspirations as a global power, emphasizing its military capabilities and strategic decisions amid challenges from China and Pakistan. The conversation dives into India's economic growth hurdles, the significance of its partnerships with Southeast Asia, and the evolving role in international organizations. Nachiappan also offers valuable insights for graduates on navigating India's complexities through literature and travel.

Professor Euston Quah is a prominent Singaporean economist and the Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he also serves as Head of the Economics Division. Known for his work in cost-benefit analysis, environmental economics, and policy economics, he has advised various government agencies and chaired national committees in Singapore. His research often bridges economic theory with practical policymaking, particularly in sustainability, public infrastructure, and regulatory impact.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction 01:30 Who Is Albert Winsemius? 05:55 How Albert Winsemius Made Singapore Better 20:35 The Art of Economic Advising 27:56 Market Failures and State Intervention 30:12 Intellectual Tradition of Economics in Singapore 31:06 Singapore's Entrance Into An Uncertain World 34:27 Why Cost-Benefit Analysis 42:22 How To Appraise Costs & Benefits 45:37 Limitations of Cost-Benefit Analysis 51:54 How Valuation Works 54:08 Why Sensitivity Analysis 60:09 Advice for Graduates Entering the Workforce

Grace Shao, a financial and tech analyst from Hong Kong, shares her insights on China’s rapid advancements in AI. She discusses how China's entrepreneurial spirit, driven by a competitive ‘copycat mentality,’ is reshaping the tech landscape. Grace highlights the dominance of super apps and the cultural acceptance of AI, contrasting it with the U.S. approach. She also explores China's industrial ambitions and the challenges posed by chip bans, while emphasizing Singapore's strategic role in connecting Chinese tech with Southeast Asia.

Inderjit Singh is a former Member of Parliament in Singapore who served under the People's Action Party (PAP) from 1996 to 2015, representing the Ang Mo Kio GRC. A seasoned entrepreneur and technologist, he is known for his candid views on innovation, entrepreneurship, and policymaking. Inderjit played a key role in shaping Singapore’s start-up ecosystem and has remained an influential voice on economic competitiveness, SME growth, and education reform issues. He is also the founder of multiple tech ventures and continues to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore and beyond.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction & Trailer to Inderjit Singh01:13 Inderjit's Journey As An Entrepreneur07:15 The Difficulty In Gaining Funding in 1990s14:09 Can Singapore Produce Our Own TSMC14:28 Singapore's Semiconductor Landscape17:27 Did Singapore Give Up?19:04 Revitalising Manufacturing in Singapore22:01 Becoming the World's Prototyping Hub25:39 What It Takes To Build A Startup31:09 Addressing the Financing Gap for Entrepreneurs33:43 Identifying Opportunities for Singaporean Entrepreneurs38:44 Fostering Linkages Between Research and Industry40:08 Balancing Foreign and Local Talent41:49 Inderjit Singh's Book42:18 Can Singapore Be More Risk Tolerant?44:45 How Government Can Support Industry47:09 Managing A Tech Company & Politics53:14 How Inderjit Navigated Politics54:36 What Makes A Good Political Leader57:17 Singapore's Future Challenges01:04:06 Advice for Fresh GraduateFull transcripts of episodes can be found here: https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/Feel free to mingle in the comments below or head to...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontrow.65/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-yap/Website: www.ykeith.comEmail: keith@frontrow65.coGet access to every episode by subscribing for free on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/keith-yap8 or Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/front-row/id1771599400

In this discussion, Manoj Pradhan, founder of Talking Heads Macroeconomics, delves into the economic implications of aging societies. He reveals how demographic shifts, particularly in China and Japan, are poised to create a more inflationary global environment. The conversation touches on challenges such as rising inequality and healthcare costs, as well as the potential of technology to enhance growth. Pradhan also suggests innovative approaches to manage these demographic changes while offering valuable advice for new graduates entering the workforce.

Zhou Bo is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University.In his prior life, he was a Senior Colonel in the People's Liberation Army of China. In this episode, we discuss the role China seeks to play on the international stage amidst its intensifying rivalry with the USA. 00:00 Intro01:20 - China's Multifaceted Identity04:47 Perceptions of China: Fear and Uncertainty07:41 China's Historical Context and Future Aspirations10:40 China's Core Interests and Global Role12:06 China's Economic Development Initiatives17:12 China's Security Role in the Global Order20:07 China's Position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict29:06 China's Role as a Broker in Global Conflicts33:07 US-China Relations: A Complex Rivalry38:58 Navigating the South China Sea Disputes41:13 Lessons from Trump's First Term48:28 Building Trust Between China and the US53:10 China's Image in the Global Arena53:58 Advice For The Young