At the 5^th annual DBS Asian Insights Conference, [Chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees and] Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited  Mr Ho Kwon Ping said that the bigger economic and global danger for Singapore was losing its relevance, and whether it would become a second-tier city-state as opposed to first-tier. On maintaining Singapore’s relevance, he added that it needed to deepen its strengths in areas it is already proficient in, using a mix of "very careful strategic planning and a clear recognition of global market forces".