From cheese-seller to economist – new book by NTU economists celebrates Singapore’s first chief external economic advisor

Singapore’s success story today owes much to a Dutch economist, Dr Albert Winsemius. A quietly unassuming and publicity-shy Dutch policymaker, businessman and economic adviser, Dr Winsemius is a relatively unknown name in the wider public.

Now, his story is told in Albert Winsemius and Singapore: Here It is Going to Happen. Written by a team of NTU economists led by Professor Euston Quah, NTU Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics, the book is the most detailed, wide-ranging, and meticulous study of Albert Winsemius’ impact on Singapore’s early economic development to date.

The book was launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Mr Heng Swee Keat on Monday, 23 May.

Dr Pieter Winsemius, son of Albert Winsemius, was also in the audience with other family members, including Albert Winsemius’ grandchildren and great-children.

With material sourced from archives in the Netherlands and Singapore, and supplemented with extensive first-person interviews with people who had the pleasure of working alongside Albert Winsemius, the book examines his affinity with Singapore and his contributions to the country’s economic growth and development.