That Light at the Tunnel's End

"Yes, there's light at the end of the tunnel but we don't know how long the tunnel is. We think we will come out of the tunnel in good shape... Everyone is down but those who come out the best are goin to be those with strong balance sheets, those who are able to help their businesses and their people, their citizens, on a targeted basis..."

Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam

"We've no doubt there's light at the end of the tunnel. But what we're more concerned about is that when we reach the light at the end of the tunnel, are we going to emerge from this tunnel more united or more disunited? I think that really is the key question. If we survive this tunnel by cutting jobs to save costs, I think, yes, we'll come out but a lot more disunited. But if we work together, save costs, cut costs to save jobs, then I think we'd have succeeded - not just surviving the tunnel but coming out more united."

NTUC secretary-general, PMO Lim Swee Say

"While we see light at the end of the tunnel, it is more important to figure out what we should do while we're still in the tunnel. How we emerge will depend on what we do while we're in the tunnel. Therefore, its important for us to prepare ourselves, upgrade our workers... When the economy recovers, it may be a new economy...the industries that are growing may be different, the jobs that are in demand may be different. So it's important...to give (workers) skills relevant to the new growing industries, so that when the economy eventually recovers, they will be ready."

Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong

Now u all know why they are highly-paid.. =] lol..

Reference: The Straits Times Saturday, November 22 2008 Page A22.