Before choosing a location you should:
- thoroughly research the options
- get advice from businesses already in Singapore.
Singapore has a small, concentrated and wealthy market of English-speaking customers. Corruption rates are among the lowest in the world and it has an efficient government.
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state where global talents, ideas, funds and businesses meet. New Zealanders find Singapore an easy place to get about and will quite easily adapt to its cultural diversity.
Its strategic location at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca has helped it become one of the most important shipping centres in Asia. The Port of Singapore contributes to fast distribution of goods with its excellent cargo handling capabilities and fast processing. This, combined with its comprehensive air and land connectivity, provides a seamless flow of goods and services to markets around the world.
Free trade zones
Free Trade Zones (FTZs) are essentially designated areas in Singapore where the payment of duties and taxes are suspended when the goods arrive in Singapore. No duty or taxes are payable on goods that are stored in FTZs. You only need to pay duty and taxes when the goods leave the FTZ and enter into Customs territory for local consumption. FTZs are very beneficial for companies that want to use Singapore as a hub for their regional operations.
Singapore has five FTZs in Changi, Keppel, Jurong, Sembawang and Pasir Panjang. Within these are 10 Customs checkpoints or gates, which include eight ports.
(Additional sources used on this page: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu)
