Advocacy says that the USA exported goods worth $27,08 billion to Singapore in 2020. Out of these exports, about 21% were computers and electronic products. Chemicals, transportation equipment, etc., came second. In addition, Singapore remains the top globally for ease of doing business, says the World Bank in its “Doing Business 2016 Report.”
These brilliant stats show that U.S. companies should invest in Lion City because it offers more opportunities than its Asian neighbors. In this guide, you’ll learn how Singapore is a great place to grow your business. Let’s get rolling. ??

Americans Can Find Happiness in Singapore

Singapore is more than a business place. It’s easy for you to be head over heels in love with Lion City because of its diverse cultures and backgrounds. Read on to discover how American investors can be at home in Singapore.

1. Americans Can Easily Make Singapore Their Home

As a developed country, Singapore’s living standards are high and much the same as Western life. As a result, accommodation for ex-pats is of the highest standards; for instance, you can rent high-rise condos or apartments in excellent condition.
What’s more, you can find time to relax and refresh at brilliant onsite workout facilities and pools around the residence. Your change of environment will be smooth sailing as English is one of the official languages in Singapore. Because of this, you won’t feel lost and alone.
Culture-wise, the nation is a melting pot of local and overseas nationalities with diverse cultures. It’s a place to be.

2. Western Schools in Singapore

Singapore boasts well-known international schools that compare well with Western education. One of them is the Australian International School (AIS), offering top-drawer education and a robust curriculum. English is the primary medium of instruction, and as a result, your kids will blend with others with ease.
Your children won’t see the difference between Western and AIS because AIS offers a typical Western curriculum. On its website, it says that it caters to students aged two months until 18 years.
For example, AIS has a curriculum for 6 to 8-year-olds; Cambridge IGSCE for 9 to 10-year-olds; and the Higher School Certificate for older children from 11 to 12 graduate with an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Other schools you may try include two international schools, such as Dover Court International school with a British-oriented curriculum. Another is Nexus International school, offering the same curriculum.

3. American Food Galore in Singapore

When it comes to real Western food, Singapore will satisfy your taste buds. You can find eating houses dotted around busy and even quiet places with great food for your enjoyment. Here are some restaurants serving Western cuisines.
You can visit Boomerang Bistro and Bar on Robertson Quay, Singapore River. It serves Western and German cuisine.
The Local serves Singaporean, Western, and German cuisine. You can find it on Neil Road, Outran.
Serving cuisine, including Western, Spanish, and Continental, Canopy Garden Dining is located in Marymount, Bishan.
Quayside Fish Bar and Bistro serves Western, Australian, and Seafood cuisine. You can find it in Sentosa, Southern Islands.
You can find Salt Tapas and Bar on Seah Street, Downtown Core, serving Western, Spanish, and Bar food.
Meat Smith is located on Telok Ayer Street, Outram, and serves Australian, American, and BBQ cuisine.
You can also visit Open Farm Community in Rideout, Tagline, which caters to Health Food, Fusion, Western, and Italian cuisine.
Food Capital offers Western and Japanese cuisine. You can find it on Havelock Road, Singa River.
With all these restaurants and many more, you won’t miss your Western dishes.
(Disclaimer: The inclusion of these restaurants isn’t an endorsement of their activities or a guarantee of their availability after this publication).

4. Finding American Friends in Singapore

You need people to connect with, spend some time with, and share some joys and challenges of being an ex-pat. Singapore has many community groups to help you link up with like-minded people.
For example, you can be part of a Facebook group catering to Americans or an online community network like InterNations, provided they meet your needs and are safe for you. It’s critical to do your research into a social group to join.
In addition, there are famous places that ex-pats choose for accommodation, such as Orchard, Tanglin, Holland Village, Bukit Timah, and more. You can make friends in these places.

5. Americans Can Find Love in Singapore

Single and looking to have a soul mate in Singapore? It’s doable. You can join a bona fide dating site that can match you with the love of your dreams. Some dating sites provide professional and personalized matchmaking services for highly-educated folks, for example.
If you need a premium service, you can find sites charging their clients a fee a month. On these online sites, you can create a personal profile highlighting the kind of people you want to hook up with.
Other dating sites like IT’s JUST LUNCH make it easy for you to find dates sharing your interests and meeting your needs. So, yes, in Singapore, as an American ex-pat, you can join other lovebirds.

6. Americans and Singapore Have Long Economic Ties

When Singapore was in its early developmental stages, the U.S. was one of the top investors in the country. American companies became and are still the primary sources of direct foreign investments in Lion City. You can see that your chances of growing your business and thriving in Singapore are high.
How Australians Can Grow Their Businesses in Singapore

7. Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)

Compared to other Asian countries, Singapore is the cream of the crop for U.S. investments. For example, in 2016, U.S. companies spent a staggering US $15 billion on offices and factories, says the Business Times.
Again, the book value of the U.S. investments was US$ 274,3 billion in Singapore in the same year. The amount was twice more than the U.S. investments in China and Japan, showing that Singapore outshines other Asian nations.
Trading Economics also says that U.S. exports to Singapore ballooned to US$40,27 billion in 2020. In fact, in 2019, foreign direct investments from the U.S. to the Lion City topped US$214 billion, the Singapore Business Reviews adds.
In addition, the U.S. FDI in the manufacturing industry was 50% more than all the Asian investments in the same sector. Also, the U.S.’s investment in the financial services industry was 60% bigger than its FDI in the EU.
What does this mean for your business?
* Singapore calls the shot compared to other Asian nations for U.S. companies; it remains the U. S.’s favorite country of investment
* U.S. companies still play a crucial role in Singapore’s development
* Your chances of success in Singapore are high because of the U.S. brand
* Marketing opportunities still exist in the manufacturing and tech industries

8. Registration of Companies

According to the Singapore Business Review, U.S. businesses have grown by 20% over the past three years. Rising from 3800 to 4500 companies, the U.S. firms have brought massive jobs, mentorship, training, and corporate excellence.
The U.S. multinationals in finance and consulting have created a massive workforce in Singapore. Plus 200 000 employees. U.S investments in Singapore have added 250 000 jobs in the U.S., proving that the two countries have a win-win relationship.
Your company could also be part of the vast U.S. investments that are putting bread and butter on the table of many people in the U.S and Singapore. Also, registration for your new company is as easy as 123 and takes a short time. Here are some companies you can register in Singapore:

A. Subsidiary Company

It’s the type of business for those looking at starting a private limited company; it’s 100% foreign-owned, and you can incorporate it in Singapore. It could be a small-to-medium-sized business.

B. Branch Office

You already have a company running in your native country and only want to extend its business in Lion City. If this is the case, you should form a branch office, which you must register as an extension of the parent organization. The pro side of this is that you can repatriate the profits after paying tax on income earned in Singapore.

C. Representative Office

A Representative Office lets you test the waters to see if running an operation in Singapore makes business sense. However, this business type doesn’t allow you to operate with profit in mind.
A subsidiary company has 5 ordinary things it needs to fulfill.
* 1 shareholder
* 1 Resident Director
* 1 Local Company Secretary
* S $1M Paid-Up Capital

9. Singapore Offers Lower Taxes

Your business can do well in Singapore due to a tax-friendly system that leaves companies with surplus funds for expansion into other markets. For instance, Singapore uses a single-tier tax approach, meaning that your company pays tax only on chargeable income. Also, shareholders won’t pay tax when they receive their dividends, boosting their income.
In summary, there’s zero tax on capital gains or dividends.
Another pro side of Singapore’s tax system is that there’s double-tax relief, which means that you’re not taxed twice on company profits in the two countries.
You can see that you’ve got greater chances of making it by locating or setting up a business in Singapore. Apart from these attractive tax rates, Singapore offers an array of industry-specific tax benefits for American firms. Let’s dive into a few of them.

A. Tax Incentives for Global Trading

It’s also called the Global Trade Scheme, and it provides a discount rate of 5%-10% for 5-10 years. To benefit from this favorable tax scheme, you must be involved in transportation, global trade, and procurement of products that qualify.

B. Tax Incentives for Shipping and Maritime Industry

It’s a tax relief from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to encourage shipping companies to grow and improve their operations.

C. Tax Incentive for R&D, Innovation, and Product Development

Several schemes under this tax break, such as development and expansion incentives, an investment allowance, a pioneer incentive scheme, are also other examples.

10. Robust Financial and Technical Infrastructure

When it comes to fintech, Singapore is one of the top countries encouraging fintech start-ups to work alongside traditional banks. Further, there are various financial services available for Australian businesses, including:
* Traditional banking
* Capital markets
* Wealth and asset management
* Insurance
* Equity and bonds
* Foreign exchange and derivative markets

11. USA Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

You had better believe what the International Trade Administration says about the benefits of the FTA. It has:
* Boosted U.S exports
* Made U.S. fair well around the globe in business activities
* Made the U.S. a well-known brand in Southeast Asia
* Opened wide doors for U.S businesses to one of ASEAN’s huge markets
Led to skyrocketing exports for some manufacturing industries, including;
*     Microelectronics
*     Chemical
*     Pharmaceuticals
*     Certain textiles
*     Photo equipment
Apart from the manufacturing sector, the U.S.-Singapore FTA has also made the two nations cooperate on labor rights and the environment. Based on these encouraging stats, it’s high time you invested in Lion City.
Some more U.S.-Singapore agreements to propel your business to success.

A. USA – Singapore Third County Training Program

The two countries kick-started this program to help the Asia-Pacific Region in the following ways:
* Provide technical know-how
* Ensure that development improves Singaporeans’ lives and protects the environment
* Promote regional growth
* Cybersecurity
Since the two countries started the training, the program has trained more than 1200 people in:
* Disaster management
* Urban planning
* Health
* Trade
* Environment
Because of this training, you can get a skilled workforce in Singapore.

12. Singapore and California

The Lion City and the Golden State have strong two-way trade relations that can catapult U.S. companies into success. For instance, California’s investment in Singapore was US$3 billion in 2020, says Advocacy.calchamber.com.
Of these exports to CA., electronic products took 30.1% while non-electrical machinery came second with 24.9 %. These brilliant stats show that Singapore is one of the most prominent export destinations for CA companies’ products.
Not to be left out, Lion City also sold US$4.3 worth of goods, such as chemicals, computers, and electronic products, etc. What’s in it for your business?
Simple. Vast opportunities and endless possibilities await you in Lion City. Get this picture. Singapore is California’s 13th most colossal market for exports.
Some more good news for your business. The California Trade and Commerce Agency and the Singapore Trade Development Board, Economic Development Board, and the National Science and Technology Board signed an MOU to promote IT and economic interests. Already, the CA. Technology companies below have operations in Singapore.
* Genetech and Chevron
* Alphabet
* Apple
* Qualcomm
* Seagate
* HP Enterprise
* HP Inc.
* Micron

13. Market Opportunities for Americans

Singapore offers loads of opportunities for your business, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA). It says that Lion City provides a friendly business environment for U.S. companies to invest, export, or even operate in Singapore.
Here are some investment opportunities you can grab:
* Healthcare and Med Tech
* Energy and the Environment
* ICT and Digital Technologies
* Aviation and Defense
Investment in infrastructure projects with government procurements include:
1. Construction of Tuas Terminal in 4 phases, the Next Generation Port Vision. Already, some companies are working on the first two phases. Phases 3 & 4 are in the pipeline, so keep your ears on the ground, says ITA’s Country Commercial Guide.
2. Phase 2 of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System with 2025 as the year of completion
3. ICT infrastructure to the tune of U.S.$2,5 billion by the Singapore Government
4. Singapore is to redevelop its oldest and biggest hospital-Outram Campus and Community Hospital. Project completion from 2025-2035.
5. Changi Airport Terminal construction, including the 3rd runway with the projected 2030 as the completion year
More lucrative projects in construction include:
1. The Singapore government will finance five new hospitals plus 12 polyclinics over the medium term
2. Woodlands Campus construction: 2022 completion year; Alexandra redevelopment and Tang Seng Hospital
3. Improve water technology, including wastewater recycling and treatment, filtering and purifying equipment, etc.
4. US$8 million as a pilot project to find out more about floating solar panels to produce electricity
5. Singapore’s Power Center for Excellence is investing US$ 22,55 million to develop better technology to transmit and distribute electricity with efficiency and at a low cost
With all these huge projects and more, investing in Singapore makes sense for your business. An early bird catches the worm.

The Bottom Line

Investing in Singapore makes business sense for your company because it’s a gateway to the ASEAN region. Singapore is also a key distribution, financial, and logistics hub. Its economy is open, free of corruption, and supportive of foreign businesses.
In addition, you’ll find business-friendly laws and regulations and substantial intellectual property rights. Already, several American companies have taken part in innovation centers and research hubs. Now is the time to cast your investment net wide by considering Lion City.