ECONOMIC conditions will get tougher going ahead but Singaporeans must not lose track of the longer term issues that affect the country's competitiveness, said Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang on Monday evening.

Speaking at the first NUS-MTI economic dialogue, Mr Lim said 'the global economy will eventually recover and we have to be positioned to bounce back'.

He flagged the energy sector as a crucial challenge but assured that the Government would strike a balance between regulating energy production without compromising economic growth.

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