Since its independence in 1965, Singapore has became one of the world's most prosperous countries, with per capita GDP equaling that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Singapore is highly ranked for its economic competitiveness, and was the world's most competitive country from 1997 to 1999 as ranked by the World Economic Forum.

Singapore's strategic location at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca has helped it to become one of the most important shipping centers in Asia. The Port of Singapore, the world's busiest in terms of shipping tonnage, is a key component of Singapore's prosperity and economic health. Singapore is a leader in manufacturing of computer components, petroleum refining, and business services.

Singapore has made an impressive recovery after the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98. The government is currently restructuring the economy by promoting higher-value-added activities in line with a "knowledge-based" economy, and by opening up protected sectors such as financial services to increase overall efficiency. Various bilateral free-trade agreements are also being negotiated to improve market access and encourage foreign investment inflows.

For more information on our Singapore affairs, please contact:
Sarah Chambers
Manager, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore Affairs
schambers@usasean.org

In addition to our work through our Washington, DC headquarters, the Council also maintains a strong presence through our Regional headquarters in Singapore. For assistance, please contact:
Martin Hutagalung
Regional Director
Manager, ASEAN and APEC Affairs
Coordinator, Customs Working Group
mhutagalung@usasean.org

July: ASEAN Regional Forum. Singapore. Contact: Martin Hutagalung at mhutagalung@usasean.org

more upcoming events

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more headline news

2007 Business Mission to Singapore

September 20-21, 2007

The US-ASEAN Business Council completed a two-day Senior Executives Business Mission to Singapore on Friday, 21 September. The business delegation comprised of 13 major US companies. The 25-member delegation is co-led by chair of the US-Singapore Business Council of the US-ASEAN Business Council, Mr. Robert Bauerlein, Vice President of International Operations of the Boeing Company, and Mr. Matthew Daley, President of the Council. For a press release of the mission, click here.

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Gala Dinner celebrating
ASEAN's 40th Anniversary

featuring keynote address by

H.E. Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister of Singapore

Washington, DC
Thursday, May 3, 2007

The Asia Society Washington Center and the US-ASEAN Business Council co-organized a black tie gala dinner celebrating ASEAN’s 40th anniversary. The guest of honor, His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore, delivered the keynote address. The Chiefs of Missions from the ten ASEAN countries were diplomatic hosts for the dinner. For a copy of Prime Minister Lee's speech, click here.

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US-Singapore Business Council's Chairman:

Robert Bauerlein,
The Boeing Company

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GDP: $ 227.7 billion (2007 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 7.5% (2007 est.)

Currency Rate

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H.E. Chan Heng Chee
Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the United States

The Honorable Patricia Herbold
United States Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore