As Minister of State at the Ministries of Manpower and Trade and Industry, Mr Foo Cexiang aims to foster collaboration among businesses, workers, and government to shape practical policies around AI adoption, parental support at workplaces, and expanding Singapore’s presence in emerging markets.
- Balancing AI use with workers’ career development
- Exploring flexible workplace support for parents
- Targeting emerging markets for long-term trade growth
What happened
Mr Foo Cexiang has assumed his new role as Minister of State in Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Trade and Industry as of September 1, 2026. His responsibilities span nurturing workforce development and guiding Singapore’s trade strategies amid evolving global economic trends. Engaging closely with companies, unions, and HR leaders, he plans to address key questions around adopting artificial intelligence while preserving meaningful career growth for employees.
In addition, Mr Foo plans to work on improving workplace environments to better support working parents, leveraging his personal experience as a father. On the trade front, he is keen on helping Singaporeans and businesses tap into promising opportunities by focusing on established and emerging international markets with young, growing populations.
Why it feels good
Minister Foo’s approach emphasizes collaboration and finding balanced solutions that benefit both workers and employers, which is reassuring in a time of rapid technological change. By involving multiple stakeholders, his plans to integrate AI thoughtfully aim to help employees develop new skills rather than be sidelined, creating confidence in future-proofing careers.
His focus on supporting parents recognizes the challenges modern families face balancing work and home life, suggesting greater empathy and flexibility in workplace policies. Meanwhile, targeting new global markets offers hope for sustained economic growth and fresh opportunities for Singaporean businesses and workers, which encourages optimism for the nation’s future.
What to enjoy or watch next
Over the coming months, watch for initiatives spearheaded by Minister Foo that promote impactful collaboration between government, business leaders, and workers, especially regarding AI integration and career development programs. Updates on schemes to offer more diverse workplace flexibilities for parents may also surface, reflecting a commitment to family-friendly employment policies.
On the trade side, keep an eye on efforts to forge stronger ties with growing international markets like Africa and Central Asia, alongside established regions like Europe. These strategic moves will likely expand Singapore’s role in global trade flows and open new avenues for entrepreneurs and exporters looking to broaden their reach in emerging economies.