Youths and the Sharing Economy

Ms Sun Xueling, CEO of Business China,

Judges of the Business China Youth Showdown,

Guests, teachers, students and finalists,

1. A very good afternoon to all of you.

2. The concept of the 'sharing economy' is transforming the way we work, live and play. For some industries and firms, it brings about severe disruption to conventional business models. For others, especially consumers, it could mean the unlocking or creation of untold value.

3. By choosing “Youths and the Sharing Economy” as the theme of this year's Youth Showdown, Business China is focusing on a subject that not only has brought about significant changes to the economy worldwide, including to Singapore and to China, but looks set to influence business and industries for some time to come.

4. The estimated worth of the Sharing Economy is about 21 billion Singapore dollars today worldwide. In less than 10 years from now, that figure is projected to grow by more than 20-fold, to about 450 billion Singapore dollars. As youths of today and leaders of the future, you will be able to experience this growth as it unfolds. I trust that preparing for today's competition has helped all of you gain useful insights into the trends that will shape countless jobs and lives. Now, please allow me to continue in Mandarin.

5. 我很高兴看到通商中国再次举办青年擂台赛。新加坡青年能通过这个平台增进对中国的认识，为“青年与共享经济”这个重要的课题，进行讨论，分享见解。同学们今天的相互学习，可以说是为未来做准备。新加坡是个小国，经济发展容易受到外在环境的影响。青年人经常留意时事动态，了解并掌握自身的优势，可以为日后步入社会，开始工作、或者创新创业奠定良好的基础。

6. 我也鼓励新加坡的青少年多关注新加坡与中国之间的密切关系。新加坡是中国最大外资来源，而中国也是新加坡最大的贸易伙伴。去年是新中建交25周年，两国的合作可以说是频密而且广泛，涉及不同领域与层面。未来两国关系的维持与加深，有赖于同学们现在的努力。通商中国让许多新加坡的青少年深度了解中国，拓展人脉网络，在这方面的努力是非常值得鼓励也非常值得大家支持的。

7. 我相信大家对今天的课题，都有各自独特的体验和看法。刚才的视频也让我们大家体验到整个比赛的过程当中应该是非常的有趣味，而且呢，也相信大家是十分地投入。我很期待聆听从预赛中脱颖而出的这5支队伍，对于共享经济的不同诠释与分析。在这里，我希望所有的参赛者，不论胜负，都会因为这次的比赛而对共享经济有更深一层的了解，在应对未来的挑战时，更充满信心！

8. 谢谢大家！