Singapore

 

Official Name - Republic of Singapore (SN)
Capital City - Singapore
Type of Government - Parliamentary Republic
Currency - Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Fiscal Year - 1 April - 31 March
Official Language(s) - Malay (National), Mandarin Chinese, English, Tamil
Local Time - GMT + 08:00
International Dialling Code - +65 (02 when dialling from Malaysia)
Internet Domain - .sg
Major Industries - Manufacturing, Electronics, Chemicals, Trade, Business and Financial Services, Shipping, Tourism, Construction
Major Trading Partners - US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea
Double Taxation Treaty with India - YES

Economic Overview

  • Free market.
  • One of the highest per capita gross domestic products.
  • The economy relies on the exports, especially electronics and manufacturing.
  • Noted for its role as a regional centre of banking and finance.
  • Key areas for long-term growth are banking, hi-tech manufacturing and tourism.
  • 40% of exports are for re-exports.
  • Tenth largest trading partner of the US.

Contacts of Trade Ministries/ Associations

Ministry of Trade and Industry
Singapore Business Federation (SBF)
Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI)
Government of Singapore
The Treasury,
100 High Street, Singapore
Tel: +(65)-62259911
Fax: +(65)-63327260
Quality Service Line:
1800-2213005 (Toll Free)
E-mail: mti_email@mti.gov.sg
Website: www.mti.gov.sg

 19, Tanglin Road, #07-01
Singapore - 247 909
Tel.: +(65)-6876828
Fax: +(65)-68276807
Website: www.sbf.org.sg

 101 Cecil Street #23-01
Tong Eng Building
Singapore 069533
Tel.: +(65)-62222855
Fax: +(65)-62231707
E-mail: sicci@singnet.com.sg,
ga@sicci.com
Website: www.sicci.com
Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI)
Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC)
Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI)
47 Hill Street #09-00
Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Building
Singapore 179365
Tel.: +(65)-63378381
Fax: +(65)-63395630
E-mail: webmaster@wcbn.com.sg,
corporate@sccci.org.sg
Website: www.wcbn.com.sg

 6 Raffles Quay #10-01
John Hancock Tower
Singapore 048580
Tel.: +(65)-62241255
Fax: +(65)-62242785
E-mail: singicc@asianconnect.com,
general@sicc.com.sg
Website: www.sicc.com.sg

 72A, Bussorah Street
Singapore 199485
Tel.: +(65)-62979296
Fax: +(65)-63924527/ 63924528
E-mail: smcci@singnet.com.sg
Singapore Confederation of Industries (SCI)
International Enterprise Singapore (IES)
The Enterprise, #02-02
No.2 Science Centre Road
Singapore - 609077
Tel.: +(65)-68263000
Fax: +(65)-68228828
E-mail: scihq@sci.org.sg
Website: www.sci.org.sg
 (Formerly known as Singapore
Trade Development Board)
230 Victoria Street #07-00 & #09-00,
Bugis Junction, Office Tower
Singapore 188024
Tel.: +(65)-63376628
Fax: +(65)-63373898, 63376838
E-mail: enquiry@iesingapore.gov.sg
Website: www.iesingapore.gov.sg

Business Visa Rules
Business visas are limited to the following:

  • To attend any business meetings or discussions
  • To attend any seminars or "fact-finding" meetings.
The following are the basic requirements for business visitors:
  • The applicant must have a residence and an employer outside Singapore.
  • The applicant must be traveling to Singapore for a defined, limited pre-set period and have pre-determined plans.
  • The applicant must not receive compensation from sources within Singapore.
  • The applicants period of intended stay must be consistent with his/her intended purpose of the trip.
  • Individuals who are traveling to Singapore to receive training should apply specifically for a training pass.
  • Technically, individuals providing training to employees of the local entity or third parties, even for a single day, must obtain an Employment Pass.
Note :-
  • For any services provided in Singapore, employment pass is required. For short-term assignments of less than a month, a short-term employment pass is applied for. It usually takes 3 working days to process and it is not extendable.
  • Visit pass is issued for an initial period of 14 to 30 days on arrival and can be granted up to 90 days.
Business Hours
8.00/9.00 am to 5.00/6.00 pm - Offices (Saturdays 11.30 am to 1.00 pm)
Note :- Government offices are usually open from Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings.