An expenditure amount to a gross value of $150 million is being made in the coming three years for aiding a group of people, who comprise of more than 50 per cent of the resident workforce, to sharpen their skills.

These professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) are of vital importance to the economy. However, they are not immune to the altering requirements of a 'more dynamic and volatile' world economy, as observed by Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong on Wednesday.

The shares of Sembcorp Marine have gone up today after reporting better than expected fourth quarter results. Sembcorp Marine is the second largest rig builder of the world. The share price of the firm has surged up as much as 2.7 per cent today. The investors have shown confidence in this stock as it had posted better-than-expected earnings for its fourth quarter.

The shares of the Sembcorp Marine were up by 2.1 per cent at 0137 GMT.

With a record quantum of visitors spent a record amount of money in Singapore in 2010, according to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), it is expecting the slower potential rate of growth in 2011. The international visitor arrival has touched new record and as per STB, the number was around 6 million in the year 2010.

The tourism receipt collection has equally gone up to a mammoth $18.8 billion in the year under review.

Singapore greeted 30.3% more tourists in May, than the same month a year ago. Two new casinos of city-state and a long weekend for a Buddhist holiday helped to draw more tourists this time.

According to Singapore Tourism Board, 946,000 tourists visited the city-state last month, which is an increased number from 939,000 in April and 726,000 in May 2009.

For the month of May, this is the highest figure and followed record highs for the months of December to April.

AirAsia is currently celebrating the successful launch of its Kochi-Kuala Lumpur flight. Kochi, which recently opened for sale, along with Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the carrier's largest India destinations.

The launch was marked by the presence of many renowned names including Anuar Kasman, The Consul General of Malaysia for Southern India, Noor Arif Mohd. Noor, director of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board in Chennai and Kathleen Tan, the Regional Head of AirAisa.

For the month of November, exports across Singapore recorded a rise after a long wait of 19 months, further pointing to the fact that the country's economy is now starting to bounce back from one the worst recessions that world has ever seen.

An 8.7% rise, to 13.11 Billion Singapore Dollars ($9.5 Billion), was recorded by non-oil domestic exports, on the back of stronger shipments of pharmaceutical products and a rise in demand across Europe and China.

Private economists and analyst, in their latest survey, have revised their projections for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of Singapore to 5.5 per cent during the financial year 2010. The outlook represents better prospectus of city-state's economy in the upcoming year hoping increase in the business activities in Dubai.