Lee Kuan Yew's vision was to build an economically sound country that would be robust enough for future generations. But he knew Singapore had limitations.
The economic value of every person in Singapore today is as high as that of the US
To achieve his dream, he had to change the mindset of its then population of around two million people. Singaporeans had to be more welcoming to immigrants if the country were to grow.
The population needed to expand by continually attracting high-calibre people who would create employment, bring in much-needed capital and most importantly, pass on their key skills.
It is thanks to Lee Kuan Yew's vision that Singapore is as welcoming to immigrants today as it was 50 years ago.
But it is the integration of foreign and home-grown talent that has allowed the country to enjoy decades of economic growth.
The economic value of every person in Singapore today is as high as that of the US.