【FILA】FILA/CMS FD Research Seminar Explores the Economic History of Colonial Singapore

On 27 May 2026, the Faculty of International Liberal Arts (FILA) and the Center for Malaysian Studies (CMS), Soka University, hosted an FD Research Seminar entitled “The Economic History of Colonial Singapore” by Dr. Choy Keen Meng, former Visiting Professor at Soka University and one of Singapore’s leading economists and economic historians.

The seminar provided a comprehensive overview of Singapore’s economic transformation from its founding in 1819 to the eve of the Second World War. Drawing upon Dr. Choy and Prof. Ichiro Sugimoto’s recently published book, The Economic History of Colonial Singapore (NUS Press, 2026), Dr. Choy examined how Singapore evolved from a small trading settlement into one of the most important commercial and financial centers in Southeast Asia.

In the first part of the seminar, Dr. Choy discussed the establishment of Singapore as a free port under British rule and explained how its strategic location at the entrance to the Straits of Melaka enabled it to become a major entrepôt connecting China, India, Europe, and the wider Southeast Asian region. He highlighted the role of free trade, immigration, and commercial networks in driving the rapid growth of the colony during the nineteenth century.

The seminar then explored Singapore’s transition into a “staple port” following British expansion into Malaya after 1874. Particular attention was given to the development of the tin mining and rubber industries, which became the foundations of Malaya’s export economy. Dr. Choy demonstrated how Singapore functioned as the principal hub for financing, processing, shipping, and exporting these commodities, thereby strengthening its position as the economic gateway of Southeast Asia.

The presentation also examined broader socio-economic developments, including immigration, labour markets, education, healthcare, banking, and infrastructure. Participants gained insights into the interconnected nature of colonial economic development and the ways in which global demand, technological change, and regional production networks shaped Singapore’s growth trajectory.

The seminar attracted faculty members and students interested in economic history, Southeast Asian studies, and development studies. The lively discussion that followed reflected the continuing relevance of historical perspectives for understanding contemporary issues of globalization, trade, migration, and economic development.

FILA and CMS would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Choy Keen Meng for sharing his expertise and research insights. The seminar provided participants with a deeper understanding of the historical foundations of Singapore’s economic success and demonstrated the importance of interdisciplinary and empirical approaches to the study of Southeast Asia.

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