Money
The Singapore dollar (denoted $, S$ or SGD) is the unit of currency in Singapore. Coins are denominated in 1 cent (has been phased out), 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1 coins. The notes are $2, $5, $10, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 and $10,000.
Cash is widely used in Singapore, although many places have nets (electronic funds transactions) and visa terminals.
To get up to date currency rates see xe.com.
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Clothing
In general, day-to-day office work requires what is best described as business casual. Long trousers and a shirt (short sleeves are acceptable) are one example of business casual dress.
Depending on the business, ties are sometimes worn but typically no jacket except for special functions such as signing ceremonies. Dress code then is usually communicated on the invitation.
The foreign visitor, however, fares well if he or she is dressed a touch above the average dress code. Again, this depends also strongly on the business you are in, with banking and finance being more formal than others.
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Maintaining your personal safety
If you are planning to visit Singapore, consult the New Zealand Government’s travel advisory website for travel updates.
New Zealanders are advised to conform to any restrictions and instructions issued by the local authorities to contain the spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus.
Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by certain types of tropical mosquitoes (distinguished by their black and white stripes) which are active in the day time. It is prevalent in tropical urban areas after rainfall. One strain causes severe internal bleeding which is fatal if not treated.
The incubation period is about a week after being bitten. Symptoms are very painful and include fever, severe headaches, rashes, cramps, and bone and muscle pains. (For this reason, dengue is sometimes called "break bone fever".) Fatalities usually occur when people mistake dengue fever for 'flu, and fail to seek early medical advice.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise advises exporters to Asia to be particularly aware of the symptoms of dengue fever and to wear insect repellent when outdoors in any area where there may be sources of still water (even as apparently innocuous as water saucers around pot plants).
The highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or Bird Flu is currently the most threatening disease to Singapore’s food supply. Its world-wide spread and detection have raised concerns in Singapore.
At Singapore’s borders, there’s a high state of alert. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) conducts 100 percent inspections on poultry imports, and works with Immigration and Customs Agency (ICA) and the police to guard against smuggling of birds. All ornamental bird imports are tested before release from checkpoints.
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General advice
Get general advice on how to start to exporting in the Export guide.
(Additional sources used on this page: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Executiveplanet.com)
