Singapore is a small and very open economy and a major financial center. The financial system is highly integrated into international financial markets and serves as an important regional financial hub. After a period of subdued economic activity, growth accelerated in 2017–18, but is expected to moderate in 2019. To strengthen long-term growth prospects, amid population aging, the government is pursuing a strategy to transform the economy by harnessing emerging digital technologies. In the financial services area, this strategy has put Singapore at the forefront in fintech.