Excellence Amidst the Odds

The Singapore economy is expected to show slow recovery of 3.5 to 4 per cent in 2013. The same modest growth of 2 to 4 per cent is also to be expected in 2014. A certain degree of volatility still shrouds the Singapore economy with the eventual tapering of QE3 and the debt ceiling issue in the US; the possible recurrence of sovereign debt crises in Europe’s peripheral economies; and China’s policy adjustments to rebalance the economy.

Amidst the uncertainties and slow growth that shrouded 2013, Singapore continues to take the top spot in The World Bank’s Doing Business 2014 report. A high ranking on the ease of doing business index denotes that the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. The aggregate ranking on the ease of doing business is based on the following indicators: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

Singapore is also ranked as the second most competitive economy in the world on The Global Competitiveness Index 2013–2014 rankings, scoring high in the areas of economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.

Global Yellow Pages Limited (GYP) believes that despite the modest global economic advancement, we can still push forward and unearth opportunities within Singapore. A leading publisher of consumer, business and trade directories, GYP takes pride in helping the Singapore economy via its Singapore Information Services Pte Ltd (INSIS) trade directories.

Singapore Exporters is one such INSIS directory and its goal is aligned with the Singapore government’s vision of enhancing trade growth between Singapore and the world. We are pleased to present the 2014 edition for local and foreign corporations and entrepreneurs.

In this book, there are comprehensive listings of Singapore-based business from various industries that export or re-export their goods and services overseas. It also has vital contact information for embassies, foreign trade promotion agencies and foreign business associations based in Singapore. These listings and information are efficiently categorised for immediate search results.

This year, we amplified Singapore Exporters’ value for its users by adding a strategic and development profile of Singapore. The profile will give foreign companies and organisations an up-to-date overview of Singapore’s essential information, including its official languages, merchandise trade, top trading partners, latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, total trade, total imports and exports at current prices, literacy rate and other social indicators. The strategic and development profile also highlights Singapore’s political system; meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) landscape; local enterprise support schemes; economic climate; workforce; transportation; the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); and the safety and security measures implemented by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

We also featured a comprehensive list of Customs schemes and licences, as well as other information that will definitely be essential for export, re-export and import companies. This section is contributed by the Singapore Customs. The 2014 edition of the Singapore Exporters also includes the Major Export Scheme, a scheme designed by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to ease the cash flow of businesses that import and export goods substantially.

Singapore is known for its stringent policy against drugs. The Singapore Exporters 2014 highlights the Central Narcotics Bureau’s commendable efforts to keep Singapore free from drugs – featuring the main legislations and penalties for the possession, consumption, illegal traffic and illegal import or export of drugs and inhalants offences. We have also worked with the Economic Development Board (EDB) and other government bodies to prepare a comprehensive easy-to-use guide on how to set up shop in Singapore. Of course, we continue to include an updated roster of Singapore’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with other countries – including the Singapore-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (SCRFTA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council–Singapore Free Trade Agreement (GSFTA), which entered into force on 1 July 2013 and 1 September 2013 respectively.

This edition also shines the spotlight on Singapore Sanitary Ware Importers and Exporters Association (SSWIEA), which promotes the interest of the sanitary ware traders in Singapore. Furthermore, a few key export companies are highlighted in this edition’s editorial pages.

Singapore’s continuous impressive performance in The World Bank’s Doing Business report and The Global Competitiveness Report despite the gloomy economic outlook motivates GYP to further purse higher standards as part of the national effort to promote Singapore business interests worldwide as well as building bridges with foreign companies who wish to make Singapore the hub of their regional operations.

Our website, INSIS.com, has been up and functional since its launch in 2012, connecting Singapore businesses to the rest of the world online, 24/7. You can find a sample e-book on our website too.

The Singapore Exporters 2014 is a valuable extension of our ethos and we trust it will open doors of opportunities to those who use it.

Freddie Tan
Publishing Director
Global Yellow Pages Limited