1.
GV Dock and ship being unloaded (2 shots)
0.08

2.
CV Crate with "Made in Japan" stamp on side
0.11

3.
SV Workmen moving packing case
0.18

4.
SV Japanese ship PAN TO dock
0.24

5.
SV EXTERIOR building advertising Japanese company
0.30

6.
SV PAN Japanese tape recorders, record players on display in ship (2 shots)
0.40

7.
SV Electronic organ on display
0.43

8.
SV Sign "Datsun" on roof-top
0.45

9.
SV Japanese cars in showroom
0.56

10.
SV Japanese motorcycles on display in showroom
1.00

11.
GV EXTERIOR tailor's shop
1.04

12.
SV Military service families buying goods from open-air stall (2 shots)
1.18

13.
SV Road sign pointing way to military camp PAN TO camp
1.25

14.
SV Local technicians working on British Army vehicles (5 shots)
1.44

15.
SV Crates being loaded onto army lorry
1.47

16.
SV Convoy of army vehicles pulling away
1.57

17.
GV EXTERIOR Swiss and Dutch factories (2 shots)
2.03

18.
GV Construction site for new flats with sign board in foreground PAN TO new flats being erected
2.18



Initials OS/1513 OS/1505



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Singapore celebrated its sixth anniversary of independence today (August 9) with a forecast for a bright future by Prime Minister Mr. lee Kuan You. In a radio and television broadcast yesterday to mark the occasion, Mr. Lee said that Singapore's future depended, however, on political stability. Earlier this month, Singapore's foreign Ministry outlined a change in basic policies -- away from domestic objectives and instead to a more outward-looking stance. This change was necessary, said a communique form the Ministry, because of British and United states military withdrawals. Basically, the loss of cash flow from foreign bases would be compensated by an increase in trade with the West. Already, there is some considerable foreign investment in Singapore -- and, according to the Government, more is to come. This film illustrates that trade -- against a background of British forces and their families preparing to pull out.

SYNOPSIS: Singapore, which celebrated the sixth anniversary of its independence on Monday, is expanding its foreign trade. This is partly to compensate for the loss of cash flow from British and United States military forces, which are withdrawing from the island.

Since it gained its independence by breaking away from the Malaysian Federation in August 1965, Singapore has concentrated on developing its internal economy. It imports extensively from Japan, Europe and the United States, and is increasing imports and foreign investments at a steady rate. But at the same time, however, it is aware of external influences in South East Asia -- as made clear in a recent communique from its Foreign Ministry. New policy changes have been made with an eye to the shifting of the balance of power in the region. Basically, according to the communique, Singapore's economic expansion is now to be oriented towards international politics rather than purely economic considerations.

British and American military withdrawal will have considerable affects on Singapore -- from the loss of cash flow to traders around military bases, to direct unemployment among some 3,000 local civilians who work on the bases. Other, more major effects will be felt on the country's military security and national economy.

But, as British and American troops withdraw -- give a helping hand to pack up by the 3,000 local employees -- Singapore is expanding its diplomatic links with the rest of the world -- East as wall as West. It can point to relations with most major Western nations, and seven communist nations including the Soviet Union and North Vietnam. It is supporting entry of the People's Republic of China into the United Nations, and already has 65-million-pounds sterling worth of two-way trade each year with China. And although British troops are pulling out, British finance isn't. Added to the investment of several other major economic powers it heralds a bright future for Singapore -- predicted by Prime Minister Mr. Lee Kuan You in a radio and television broadcast on Sunday to mark six years of freedom - and expansion.