 Further economic success continued through the 1980s , with the unemployment rate falling to 3 % and real GDP growth averaging at about 8 % up until 1999 . During the 1980s , Singapore began to upgrade to higher @-@ technological industries , such as the wafer fabrication sector , in order to compete with its neighbours which now had cheaper labour . Singapore Changi Airport was opened in 1981 and Singapore Airlines was developed to become a major airline . The Port of Singapore became one of the world 's busiest ports and the service and tourism industries also grew immensely during this period . Singapore emerged as an important transportation hub and a major tourist destination . 
