FACTS AND STATISTICS

CountryName Republic of Singapore

Population 4 million (growth rate 1.15%)
People 76% Chinese, 15% Malay, 6% Indian
Language English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil
Religion 31% Taoist,28% Buddhist,18% Muslim, 10% Christian,4%
Hindu
Government Parliamentary democracy
President: SR Nathan
Prime minister Lee Hsien Long
Major industries Shipping, banking, tourism, electrical & electronics,
chemicals, oil refining
Majort rading partners US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan
Time: GMT/UTC+8
Electricity: 220-240V, 50 Hz
County code: +65
Mobile Phone Networks GSM 900, GSM 1800, 3G
Weights & Measure Metric with local variations
] Wait until your host begins eating and invites you to start.
] Wash and dry hands.
] Eat using the fingers of their right hand.
] Forks and spoons may be used.
] Alcohol is not consumed.

] The guest of honor·s seating.

] Use chopsticks & a porcelain spoon.
] Chopsticks should be left on the chopstick rest.
] Do not place debris in your rice bowl.
] Very strict laws prohibit littering, jaywalking,
smoking, spitting, and chewing gum.
] Failure to flush a toilet is against the law.

] Family is central.

] Loud voices and anger is degraded.

] An outright ´noµ is considered disrespectful.

] Tipping is discouraged.
] Service charge is usually included in the bill.
] Reserved in nature.
] Cover your mouth when yawning.

] Don·t blow your nose or clear your throat in public.

] Minimize hand and body gestures when talking.

] The left hand is reserved for personal hygiene.

] Foot is also considered unclean.

] Shoes must always be removed.

] Do not point using your forefinger or two fingers.

Use the right hand.
] Don·t put hands on hips.

] An agreement by a side-to-side toss of their head.

] Sucking in of air or a hissing sound made through

the teeth.
] slightly bow.
Ë Men will often wear dark trousers, a light-colored
long sleeved shirt and tie, without a jacket.
Ë Women will wear either a light-colored blouse with a
skirt or a business suit
] Jeans are acceptable for all.

] Business dress is casual.

] The traditional costume of the Chinese women is

the cheongsam.
] The most popular costume of the Malay woman is
bajukurung and sarongkebaya.
] Present your gift using both hands.
] It is important to insist until they accept the gift.

] Wrapping paper: Avoid white, black, and blue paper

and use red and gold.
] Do not give:clocks, knives, green hats, blankets,
Handkerchiefs.
] Present gifts using the right hand.
] Wrapping paper: Green, red and yellow are good
colors to use.

] Do not give liquor, pork items, or knives.

] Do not give toy dogs or gifts that picture dogs.

] Wrapping paper: Avoid white paper (associated with

funerals) or yellow paper (reserved for royalty).
] Singapore fosters an open and liberal trade policy.
] Minimal import/export restrictions.
] Extensive trade agreements.
] Singapore ranked as #1 for business efficiency, #2 for
government efficiency, #5 for economic performance and
#11 for infrastructure.

] The primary benefits of setting up a business in Singapore

include:
] Ease of new Company Incorporation
] Singapore Tax System: low tax rates, single-tier tax system,
territorial tax system.
] Political Stability
] Excellent Business Infrastructure
] Efficient Regulatory System
sHandshake with a nod of the head.

sSingaporean Malay are often Muslim.

sThe traditional Malay greeting is the Salaam.

The traditional manner called a namaste (pronounced na-mas-tay).

Many Singaporean Indians are Hindu.
] Family name followed by given name
] Use professional title followed by a family name.
] Chinese have taken an English first name or use their
initials.
] Most common surnames are ´Changµ, ´Wangµ, ´Liµ, ´Chaoµ,
and ´Liuµ.

] No family names.
] A man is known by his given name(s) followed by bin (son
of) and his father·s name.
] A woman is known by her given name(s) followed by binti
(daughter of) and her father·s name.
] Use the appropriate professional title or Mr./Mrs./Miss
followed by their given name.
] Some married women will drop their father·s name and take
their husband·s name.

] Given names come first, followed by family names.

] Use professional titles.
] Use Shri (Mr.); Shrimati ( Mrs.) or Kumari (Miss) or Use of
suffix ²ji.

] Because of the complexities, it is acceptable to ask a

Singaporean how he or she wishes to be addressed.
] Business is a matter of being tied into the proper
network.
] Group-oriented culture.
] Relationships take time to develop.
] Be patient.
] Be respectful and courteous when dealing.
] Rank is always respected.
] Most Singaporeans are soft-spoken.
] Appointments are necessary
] The most formal way to schedule a meeting is to write
to the person concerned.
] Do not try to schedule meetings during Chinese New
Year (late January/early February).
] Be punctual.
] Encourage questions.
] Never disagree or criticize someone who is senior to
you in rank.
] Business entertaining over lunch or dinner is common.
] You will rarely be invited to a Singaporean home for a
business dinner.
] Punctuality is a virtue.
] Send a list of people who will be attending the
negotiation.
] Slow pace.
] A pause of up to 15 seconds before answering a
question .
] Tough negotiators on price and deadlines.
] Decisions are consensus driven.
] Avoid losing your temper .
] Exchanged after the initial introductions.
] Use both hands.
] Examine business cards carefully.
] Treat business cards with respect .
] Never give someone a tattered card.
] China Square is located near China Street; near
South Bridge Road; 0.1 kilometer away from Cross
Street.
] China square is geographically located North of the
Equator and East of the Prime Meridian on the Map
of Singapore.
] Address: 18, 20 & 22 Cross Street,
Marsh & McLennan Centre & China Square Central,
Singapore
CHINA SQUARE CENTRAL VIEWS
] The following organizations can offer advice:
] Singapore Federation of Chambers of Commerce and
Industry:
] Singapore International Chamber of Commerce:
] Top convention city in Asia
] Exhibition & Convention Bureau.
] Non-profit making organization

] dollars and cents

] Notes come in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD
20, SGD 50, SGD 100, SGD 500, SGD 1,000, and SGD 10,000.
] Coins come in denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and
SGD .1.

] Banking hours are:

] Monday to Friday: 10 am to 3 pm,
] Saturday: 9.30 am to 1 PM (some banks are open until 3 PM).
] Most banks handle travelers' cheques and change foreign
currencies.

] Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in

Singapore. Should any shop insist on adding a surcharge,
contact the respective card company to report the errant shop-
owner.

] Visas: Most Western nationals either do not require a visa at all

or do not require a visa for a social stay of up to 90 days. A 30-
day permit is issued on arrival, and extensions are difficult to
obtain.
] World·s most competitive and prosperous
country.
] Ideal political environment.

] Competition is very fierce.

] Should have a business plan.

] EntrePass from Singapore·s Ministry of

Manpower (MOM).
] Ideal for entrepreneurship.

] Preferences of technology.