Such a good insight in to economic policy making. Wish more policy makers shed light on the mechanics of policy development, as the complexity can’t be grasped by either academics or common folk.

Another good read is Arun Maira’s experience in the Planning Commission.

I am really glad that so much conversation has happened on the migrant worker issue in Singapore and to a limited extent in Malaysia. A lot of NGOs and well meaning citizens have taken steps to help out in the crisis. These are however at best band aid measures, as after the crisis many new regulations will come in including encouraging Singaporeans to pick up work in the construction sector.

The negative PR hurts tourism intensive economies. Singapore will make amends creating incentives to grow a local workforce. C19 is an inflection point. The vast proportion of migrant workers will still be around. Solutions will include better housing which will be better enforced from a public health standpoint and reputational capital. Costs across the board will increase as ‘input costs’ step up. #stakeholderengagement

It was an enriching experience to speak to MBA/MMS students of Indira Institute of Business Management, Navi Mumbai on May Day on ‘Jobs Post COVID-19’ via a Zoom seminar. The interaction post my talk was a window in to the fears and aspirations of the COVID19 generation on the verge of graduating. The key focus was on employability in an era where value creation via skills takes precedence over the routine job placement.

A rewriting of the work culture is required. #covid19 #workfromhome #elearning

Just finished reading this masterpiece of a book. Saudi Arabia as an energy behemoth from SOCAL to Aramco to Saudi Aramco. A refreshing take on how the Saudis negotiated the best deal from the Americans; Bechtel, Oil Men etc. #SaudiInc

Post Pandemic, What was exactly’Smart’ in Smart City/Nation Projects?

Did it make healthcare for the most vulnerable free? Time to re-examine the vocabularies of governance.