Singapore's Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat outlined in a budget speech on Monday major priorities in the coming year for one of Asia's key financial hubs. Singapore is enjoying a strong position, riding on a global economic recovery last year. Heng said the 2018 budget is meant to be a strategic and integrated plan to help Singapore prepare for potential challenges, as several advanced economies turn inward amid rising protectionism. Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Sunday that Singapore would register GDP growth of between 1.5 and 3.5 percent this year.