The Esplanade is a world-class centre for the arts here. It is fitting that Singapore, having become a developed country, should have this accompaniment to help it announce to the world that it has indeed arrived as a developed country.

However, it will take some ten years or more for the ordinary Singaporean to be imbued with the appreciation of the arts - of culture, that is. In helping the country to reach its developed status, Singaporeans, in general, have had little or no time for the arts. Until then, The Esplanade will serve as a visual inspiration for Singaporeans to gear up interest in the arts.

Perhaps, the building of The Esplanade is a step forward for the people of Singapore in that this world-class facility serves to boost the service industry of Singapore. World-class performances attract audiences from the neighbouring countries to our shores. Such activities bring in money for the economy, besides providing employment for Singaporeans. The Government is right to pursue the development of the service industry, such as hospitality and tourism, to fuel growth for the economy in the years to come.

The Esplanade may not be first in the minds of many arts performance organisers here as it is expensive. It also may not fit the needs of these organisers who are generally looking for smaller theatres, with 400 or less seats. The closure of 326-seat The Drama Centre in Fort Canning on 15 Jul 2002 has exacerbated the problem of arts organisers looking for suitable smaller venues. The Drama Centre building is making way for the extension of the Singapore History Museum (in front of it).

With the arts being actively encouraged and Singaporeans having more time to devote to the arts, I look forward to the day when enough Singaporeans can be rallied to support the arts industry by attending its performances. When that day arrives, we will be able to put The Esplanade to full use as arts organisers will no longer think of small venues for their acts.