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Last updated 31 Aug 2026

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Scale across Southeast Asia from Singapore

Unlock growth opportunities in one of the world's fastest-growing regions

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Use Singapore as your launchpad to Southeast Asia

 

The world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030

Southeast Asia has been a bright spot in the global economy. It has a population of around 670 million – twice that of the United States and 50% more than the European Union1 – including a sizeable and growing middle-income and affluent consumer base. Coupled with a thriving digital economy, this dynamic region offers numerous opportunities for businesses.

Manage and direct your regional operations from Singapore

A key business destination for top industry players and an attractive location for global talent, Singapore has a strong base of headquarters with a global or regional mandate. 

Several MNCs have located global product charters and global business responsibilities in their regional HQs here. A number of global companies have also located supply chain management hubs here.

Between 2013 and 2023, Singapore had the highest number of completed regional HQs in the Asia-Pacific region2 — your business will be in good company here.

Discover resources for setting up headquarters in Singapore

Headquarters
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Schneider Electric’s growing footprint in Southeast Asia
29 Jan 2021 · 1 min read
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IBM’s former chief Ginni Rometty: why Singapore stands out as a global business hub
22 Apr 2024 · 4 min read

Gain access to trusted partners, connections and incentives ​

Connections & support

Access a curated network of government agencies, research institutions and trusted industry partners to help you establish and grow your business in Singapore.

The Workshop

EDB’s platform for business leaders to access complimentary, personalised guidance on expanding to Asia.

Incentives & facilitation

Take a look at the range of support EDB offers key enterprises

MICE Events in Singapore

Explore premier business conferences and marquee events designed for executives. Engage with global industry leaders and decision-makers to tap into new markets and forge valuable partnerships.

Startup SG Events

Discover workshops, networking sessions, conferences and pitch competitions tailored for entrepreneurs and startups. Build connections and stay ahead of the latest industry trends.

Trade with the world’s key economies​

 

Free trade agreements

Singapore’s free trade agreements (FTAs) cover more than 85 per cent of the world’s GDP, allowing companies to lower costs and reap production and supply chain efficiencies as they plug into global markets and value chains.

Learn about Free Trade Agreements: FAQ

 

Trade facilitation schemes

Our trade networks are further supported by a range of trade facilitation schemes, including:

  • ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services / ASEAN Agreement on Movement of Natural Persons
    Facilitates the freer flow of trade in services and people in the region by providing broad guidelines and substantially eliminating restrictions
  • ASEAN Free Trade Area
    A trade bloc agreement that supports local trade and manufacturing in all ASEAN countries, and works towards lowering intra-regional tariffs
  • ASEAN Investment Area
    Ensures mostly non-discriminatory treatment for ASEAN and ASEAN-based investors, transparent rules and regulations, and protection for investors and their covered investments
  • ASEAN Single Window
    Expedites cargo clearance by enabling the electronic exchange of border trade-related documents between member states
  • ASEAN-wide Self-Certification Scheme
    Allows Certified Exporters to self-declare the origins of their exports, instead of waiting for hardcopy certification, and benefit from preferential tariffs

Drive expansion through regional partnerships

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

Singapore and Malaysia have signed an MOU to work on a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Both sides will work towards enhancing cross-border flows of goods and people, and strengthen the business ecosystem to support investments.

Learn more about Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK)

Indonesia's Batam-Bintan-Karimun region is a Free Trade Zone and home to five Special Economic Zones that offer tax concessions, expedited permits and licensing, and dedicated infrastructure for foreign investors.

Find out more about BBK

Secure quality global and local talent​

For businesses looking to expand into a new market, having a team who can speak local languages and understand cultural and political contexts can be a game-changer.  With its robust mix of global, regional and local talent, Singapore is the perfect location to form a team with diverse and complementary strengths to help you drive growth across SEA. 

Singapore also has talent exchange schemes in place with Indonesia and Vietnam that offer development opportunities for young professionals.

Tech:X

For young tech professionals from Singapore and Indonesia to work in each other’s countries and pursue growing opportunities in the digital economy.

Innovation Talent Exchange Programme (ITX)

Enables Singaporeans and Vietnamese professionals to seek working stints in innovation-related areas in both countries.

Learn about the region’s key growth sectors


Digital Economy

With a young and digitally-savvy workforce, Southeast Asia is forecast to be a growth engine for the Asia Pacific region. It is one of the fastest-growing internet markets in the world with penetration rates rising rapidly at more than 70%, with over 400 million internet users. Over 95 % of SEA’s internet users have access to LTE or WiMAX connectivity.  

The region is intensifying its economic integration to improve cross-border trade and investment flows, thereby unlocking a potential S$2.7 trillion in its digital economy by 2030. This thriving market provides ample opportunities for new startups to emerge and for existing ones to expand. The Southeast Asia tech ecosystem has a combined market valuation of US$395 billion, and SEA tech startups have raised close to US$100 billion in the past 10 years.1  

Green Economy

Southeast Asia has an outsized role to play in the global push for decarbonisation to achieve net zero. The region derives 80% of its energy needs from fossil fuel and contributes to 70% of global emissions from land use change and forestry.  

Already, eight out of 10 ASEAN countries have Net Zero or carbon neutrality commitments, and there is immense potential for renewable energy development, especially in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. As the region increases the financing, production and distribution of renewables, Singapore is expanding its ecosystem of innovators, financiers and project developers looking to enable this shift. 

Southeast Asia’s biodiversity and abundance of natural resources as well as strategic importance as an industrial hub mean there is strong potential for nature-based solutions. The region is tipped to unlock S$407 billion in additional annual revenue from green investments by 2030. Already, the size of private green investments in Southeast Asia has grown by 20 per cent from 2022, to S$8.5 billion in 20233, reflecting the significant opportunities for businesses looking to invest in Southeast Asia's green economy.

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Carbon Services

Carbon Services

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Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

More guides and resources

Southeast Asia
A SEA of Opportunities: Understanding Southeast Asia
5.1 MB PDF download
Southeast Asia
How businesses can benefit from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ)
5.7 MB PDF download
Technology
Enterprise SaaS in Southeast Asia: Actionable Insights for Customer Acquisition and Retention
3.2 MB PDF download
Southeast Asia
Edges of Southeast Asia 2024
3.3 MB PDF download
Advanced Manufacturing
Grow your advanced manufacturing footprint in Southeast Asia
2.9 MB PDF download
Southeast Asia
Navigating into Southeast Asia: A Practical Roadmap to Successful Regional Expansion
3.6 MB PDF download

View all business guides

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