In Singapore, even before we gained independence, we were well-known for being a popular trading port. Attracting people from various countries, we also rely on trades till this day, not only to build foreign relationships, but as a way to make a business or a living. Some of these trades exist outside of the port, such as the examples shown below.
Wet markets are a very common sight to see in a neighbourhood in Singapore. Even though we are not the only one with wet markets in our country, many people who reside in Singapore go there almost daily to buy fresh products that are usually frozen in convenient stores and supermarkets. It also a place where people make a living out of these products as they have a unique feel of products supermarkets do not have.
Hawker centres are an area filled with stalls tables and chairs ment for those who are looking to start their day off with a good affordable meal. It is popular among locals and foreigners as not only are the options of food affordable, the options themselves come from a variety of different ethinic foods, and let`s be honest, who doesn`t like a place that sell Wanton Noodles and Prata in the same area. People operating the stalls have alot of responsibilities to do, as they wake up very early to prepare a days long of work of preparing fresh, delicious food for customers. It may be hard, but those people are taking it upon themselves to serve food. Some even have it like a family business or pass it down to their children who are interested in taking over. (Jeremy ;)
This shows a couple working through the hours preparing Keow Teow, a national dish, for several hungry customers.
The most traditional and some might say old school way of trading. People gather their goods and load them into containers, ready to be traded to other neighbouring countries through whatever means. This provides Singapore with status as a popular trading port, and our economy rose with this form of trading after the separation.
Safe and simple. A clinic easily visible to the public area and is owned by a family. Usually used as both a pharmacy and a cheap doctor`s office. Its is thus connected to trade with the pharmacy with antibiotics and such. Not only that but with money for an appointment with the doctor.
Though their name is pretty straight forward, their products they sell are the opposite. Usually visited by students who want a cheap refreshment or elderly look for what they need at a cheaper price, they provide a variety of products such as, snacks, beverages and newspapers. A wide variety made this kind of business a popular one in Singapore.
In conclusion...
No matter in what shape of form, trades will be a part of Singapore, whether or not if it is trading through the docks, or our neighbourly trades in the wet market or hawker centres. However, due to the urbanisation of our country, where supermarkets and fancy restaurant grow, people are less reliant on these areas. As a Singaporean, I feel like it will only feel right if we supported our locals by, buying fresh products you cannot find in any supermarket, and eating at hawker centres, where food is not only made hand but moulded by the heart and hard