Uploaded on 2018-01-18 by Fiona Nixon

Three important stocks and flows for Singapore are water, ‘talent’ and sand. Water: A pipeline from Malaysia supplies a high proportion of Singapore’s water. It is literally a flow. To supplement this and reduce reliance on another country the city has constructed ‘newater’ plants that recycle water, desalination plants, and has blocked off the Singapore River to retain rainwater. With the adoption of water saving appliances in future we may achieve self-sufficiency. ‘Talent’: The country relies on imported labour both unskilled (‘foreign and domestic workers’) and skilled, ‘foreign talent’. Recently, locals have resisted immigration and this is (anecdotally) having an adverse effect on the economy. Skilled workers who may become citizens and increase the productive population are being restricted. More locals need to be trained in high-tech industries and service industry jobs need to be made more appealing (by increasing wages). Sand: Sand is needed to make concrete for construction. It is imported from Indonesia where it is mined from small islands. Occasionally, for political reasons, the Indonesians restricts supply, which pushes up costs and limits new structures. New construction materials suitable for high-rise use, eg laminated timber and prefabricated modules need to be sourced from diverse countries of supply.