Daily Briefing: Singapore bets on rising Asia middle class; Consumer prices down in record slump

And Singapore takes the smart city to a new level.

The rise of the Asian middle class will remain the dominant regional growth story for years to come, enough to help Singapore cope with headwinds from the global economy, a top official said. Even though the city-state’s economy is coming under strain, observers shouldn’t discount positive signs including resilient consumer spending in Southeast Asia and solid increases in air traffic at the Changi international airport, a regional hub. Read more here.

Singapore's consumer prices fell for the 17th consecutive month in March, the longest period of decline on record, official data showed on Monday, hit by low fuel costs and as the city-state's economy stutters. Prices sank 1.0 percent last month, down 0.2 percentage points from February, the central bank and trade ministry said in a joint statement. The drop comes as the weak oil market makes petrol cheaper, in turn lowering transport costs. Find out more here.

This wealthy financial center is known world-wide for its tidy streets and tight controls on personal behavior, including famous restrictions on the sale of chewing gum to keep the city clean. Now Singapore may soon be known for something else: the most extensive effort to collect data on daily living ever attempted in a city. Read more here.