EDB Singapore
Singapore is a top-class world city to Work, Live and Play. The globally connected, multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city-state offers a conducive environment to creative and knowledge-driven industries.
Singapore’s particular competitive factors which set it apart from other locations are
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Trust - integrity, quality, reliability, productivity, a strong legal system;
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Knowledge - knowledge-based manufacturing and services, a thought and information hub, commitment to education and skills;
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Connected - physical connectivity as well as people and business networks; and
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Life - an excellent place to live, work, learn and play.
Global businesses will find it advantageous to site their headquarters in Singapore. Strong trade and investment makes Singapore the most competitive Asian country (Global Competitiveness Report 2008). The World Bank also ranks the Republic as the world’s easiest place to do business (Doing Business 2009 report).
By situating their international HQs here, companies benefit from Singapore’s network of over 50 comprehensive Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements. They also gain from Singapore’s many free trade agreements and the 35 Investment Guarantee Agreements. These FTAs have enable Singapore to establish a network to countries that contribute at least 60% of global GDP. Companies can always rely on protection of their ideas and innovations through Singapore’s rigorous enforcement of its strong intellectual property laws.
Singapore is a leading provider of services such as international banking, trade finance, maritime finance, insurance, treasury operations, and asset and wealth management within the region. Singapore is the fourth largest foreign exchange trading centre in the world.
Companies based in Singapore can tap the diverse capital markets and cutting-edge financial services from more than 500 local and foreign financial institutions here. In addition, there are over 4,500 companies offering professional services, including audit, accounting and management consulting; market research, advertising and public relations; human capital services; and legal services.
Singapore is also fast emerging as an optimal destination for the centralisation of services or “shared services”. Centralising activities such as IT, finance, and logistics, offers benefits such as lower operating costs, consistent service levels and enhanced productivity.