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SINGAPORE : Several Nominated MPs have called for more attention to be given to neglected stakeholders in Singapore.

Joining the debate on the Budget Statement in Parliament on Wednesday, NMP Jessie Phua said the sporting fraternity had been left out from any goodies in this year's Budget.

The businesswoman pointed out that the lack of adequate funding is a perennial problem facing the National Sports Associations (NSAs).

She suggested that a concerted "Singapore Sports INC" marketing strategy be developed, as this will have more 'pull in', bringing in sponsorship money compared to the micro-level marketing done by the individual NSAs.

Another NMP said foreign talents are also stakeholders here, and should get something from the Budget.

Gautam Banerjee said, "We must not make the mistake of treating our foreign talent pool as transient migrants. Instead we should make them feel as comfortable as possible from the outset by being inclusive in the way our policies are framed and in our informal dealings and mindset."

He added that this would give these individuals the confidence and courage to make Singapore their permanent home and help attract the steady stream of new talent from overseas needed to achieve economic growth targets.

It was also important, he said, to have formal channels to tap feedback from this group of stakeholders.

Mr Banerjee said, "Because our 'local' foreign talent pool happens to be outside the political mainstream, it should not mean that their voices should go unheard. By listening to them, we not only help them make the decision to stay, but we also learn what is likely to attract others to choose Singapore in the future.

"In this context, it is easy to say, 'Yes but if they become Singaporeans, then they get all these benefits, CPF included'. The point this misses, as most long-term 'expats' will tell you, is that Singapore grows on you. Quite often they were just passing through with no plans to stay, or were here for a defined short term.

"Forcing them into decisions before they have had a chance to feel comfortable here in general, and in particular asking them to give away their links, emotional and physical, with home - namely their passport - is more likely to frighten them off, rather than encourage them to make plans for a longer term association. There needs to be something that fills the transition - and something significant." - CNA/ms

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