The trade tensions between the United States and China and the slowing global economy will have an impact on Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said. The minister emphasized on upgrading to grow and improve lives for workers noting that there will be challenges ahead. He also said growth this year may not as strong.

The economy of Singapore grew 3.3 percent last year, just below 3.5 percent in 2017. While last year growth was good, however, this year may not be as vibrant as before but “we should work hard," Lee added.

Lee visited workers at ground-handling firm Sats at Changi Airport, on the first day of the Chinese New Year, and he was briefed on the company's efforts to and stay ahead of the competition. Lee noted that global and regional developments will also affect Singapore's position as an air hub.

On the ongoing air space issues between Singapore and Malaysia, he said: "We will discuss with them and we will work very hard to make sure that we enable Changi to continue to be able to operate smoothly, and the Malaysians also to have their airports operating smoothly, and traffic can flow throughout the region," reports The Business Times.