Located at the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is well placed to serve the fast-growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region. Financial institutions in Singapore also trade around-the-clock with Asia-Pacific centres, as well as European and American centres, making Singapore a significant hub for 24-hour trading in foreign exchange and securities. International travel is equally convenient. Singapore has grown to be a strategic link and important gateway for global investors.
Singapore remains connected to growth markets, not just in Asia but also beyond. Singapore has concluded bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with major economies, including the United States, European Union, China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Singapore is also part of a number of multilateral FTAs, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, GCC-Singapore FTA and ASEAN FTAs with some of the key ASEAN Dialogue Partners. These FTAs provide privileged access to the markets of partner countries.
Singapore is also building linkages, including through Bilateral Investment Treaties and FinTech Cooperation Agreements, with countries further a-field including the Middle East, Africa and South America, given the growing trade and investment interests in emerging economies.
Singapore has long been recognised as one of the best cities for business. This is what a World Bank report had to say about doing business in Singapore:
Investors have also come to appreciate the high levels of transparency and reliability in business, economic and regulatory affairs in Singapore. A stable political structure with parliamentary democracy, a well-established judicial system, and the presence of strong domestic institutions with good corporate governance practices, have made the Singapore business environment even more attractive to global investors.
Singapore remains highly cost competitive compared with other major financial centres.
Financial institutions benefit from Singapore’s world-class infrastructure and connectivity. Singapore has built on its advantageous geographical location to become one of the world’s top trading and transportation hubs. Located right in the middle of the Asian timezone, Singapore maintains excellent connectivity and proximity to major Asian economies.
Financial institutions in Singapore can also tap on our extensive network of free trade agreements and Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) . Our network of DTAs with more than 80 jurisdictions works to the advantage of any financial institution using Singapore as its regional or global hub.
The availability of a large pool of finance professionals in Singapore is a key reason why global financial institutions operate here, and use Singapore as a regional or global hub. We continue to attract top talent and expertise from overseas. At the same time, MAS works closely with our tripartite partners to build the pipeline of finance professionals and leaders.
Singapore’s labour regulations and workforce have consistently been rated highly by leading international organisations such as the World Economic Forum and Washington-based risk consultancy agency, Business Environment Risk Intelligence (BERI).
MAS has urged finance companies incorporated in Singapore to cap their total dividends per share (“DPS”) for FY2020 at 60% of FY2019’s level. The finance companies are also encouraged to offer shareholders the option of receiving the dividends to be paid for FY2020 in scrip in lieu of cash.
MAS announces key initiatives to support the adoption of SORA. The initiatives aim to catalyse greater activity in SORA markets, safeguard integrity and enhance market confidence in SORA, given SORA’s growing importance as a key interest rate benchmark in SGD financial markets.
MAS, NRF and NUS will be jointly setting up a research institute that will develop deep capabilities to support the needs of digital financial services in Asia. The Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF) will provide thought leadership and strengthen synergies between education, research and entrepreneurship in the thriving area of digital finance. It is expected to begin operating by the end of this year.
MAS conducted thematic inspections on enterprise-wide risk assessment on money laundering and terrorism financing (EWRA) in 2020. This paper highlights inspection observations and MAS’ supervisory expectations of effective EWRA frameworks and processes that financial institutions should benchmark themselves against.
MAS and Enterprise Singapore announced that the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) x Singapore Week of Innovation & TeCHnology (SWITCH) will expand to become the world’s first week-long round-the-clock, hybrid digital and physical event.
