SINGAPORE

Politics, Economics, and Laws

POLITICS &
ECONOMICS
History and Trade & Industry

REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
Motto: "Majulah Singapura" (Malay)
"Onward, Singapore
Capital: Singapore (Downtown Core, Central)
Official Language: English Malay Mandarin Tamil
Currency: Singaporean Dollar (SGD)
Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional
republic .
President: Tony Tan
Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong

REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
Once known as Temasek
(Sea Town)
Modern Singapore was
founded in the 19th century,
thanks to politics, trade and
a man known as Sir Thomas
Stamford Raffles (The
Raffles Effect).

REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

Founding: 6 February 1819

Self-government: 3 June 1959
Independence from UK: 31 August 1963
Merger with Malaysia: 16 September 1963
Expulsion from Malaysia: 9 August 1965
GDP [PPP] (2013 ~)
Total: INT$425,251 Billion
Per Capita: INT$78,762

GDP (Nominal) (2013 ~)

Total: US$ 297.941 Billion
Per Capita: US$ 55,182

HISTORY OF SINGAPORE
The emergence of Singapore as the heart of
Asias economy has come with many challenges.
From its days as a small and underdeveloped
nation, Singapore has emerged from the
tumultuous financial, social and political
changes over the years to transform into the
first-world metropolis that it is today.

THE SIXTIES
As a newly independent
country in 1965 with no
natural resources,
Singapore as an infant
nation faced much
uncertainty.
Unemployment was one of
the key issues that needed
to be resolved quickly in
order to get the wheels of
the Singapore economy
moving.

THE SIXTIES
With a GNP per capita of less than US$320,
Singapore was a third-world nation with poor
infrastructure and limited capital.
Low-end commerce was the mainstay of the
economy and the handful of industries that
existed produced only for domestic
consumption, leaving no room for direct foreign
investment.

THE SIXTIES
It was during this exciting period of growth that the Singapore
Economic Development Board (EDB) was established with a
budget of $100 million to take on the challenge of convincing
foreign investors that the country was a good place for
business.
These two developments marked the start of Singapores
industrialisation programme that began with factories
producing garments, textiles, toys, wood products and hair
wigs.
Along with these labour-intensive industries were capital and
technology-intensive projects from companies such as Shell
Eastern Petroleum and the National Iron and Steel Mills.

THE SEVENTIES
Having built up a solid
manufacturing base,
Singapore focused on
further enhancing its
business resources.
Factories were built, skilled
manpower was developed
and industries were
diversified. As a result, the
country remained
unaffected in the throes of a
subsequent global
recession.

THE SEVENTIES
By this decade, industrial development was surging ahead as EDB
marketed Singapore to be a quick operations start-up location
where factories were built in advance of demand and a highly skilled
workforce was readily available.
Manufacturing evolved to become more sophisticated and included
computer parts, peripherals, software packages and silicon wafers.
Led to new investments particularly in the electronics sector and
product diversification, which greatly enhanced export performance
in spite of a global recession.
MNCs began R&D activities in Singapore as an extension of their
already successful manufacturing operations; demonstrating their
long-term confidence.

THE SEVENTIES
To push Singapores agenda as a business hub, more EDB offices
were set up in Europe, USA and Asia.
During this period, Texas Instruments rolled out a production line
in just 50 days after committing $6 million to make semiconductors
and integrated circuits for export to world markets.
This major investment, which EDB secured in under six months,
heralded the start of Singapores electronics industry.
Although the world recession in 1975 slowed progress slightly, the
citys economy remained nimble and flexible as EDB pushed for
more industrial projects and manufacturing eventually became the
largest sector in the economy surpassing trade.

THE EIGHTIES
The Second Industrial Revolution beckoned the growth of
knowledge-intensive activities such as R&D, engineering design and
computer software services. Sunrise industries were identified,
workers received high-tech training, and Southeast Asias first
silicon wafer manufacturing plant was built.
The 1980s saw EDB co-establishing institutions of technology with Japan,
Germany and France to meet the specialised manpower needs of hightechnology industries.
Coupled with the Skills Development Fund, these places of learning
provided Singaporeans with the right kind of training for specialised jobs in
the electronics and engineering sectors.

THE EIGHTIES
Eventually, due to the governments adoption of a high-wage policy
to accelerate the move away from labour-intensive industries and
the attraction to high-technology industries, wage bills swelled as
the world slipped into an economic slowdown and Singapore slid
into a recession.
With the new goal of positioning Singapore as a Total Business
Centre, EDB set out to attract international service corporations in
the financial, educational, lifestyle, medical, IT and software sectors;
identifying PC, printed circuit board and disc drive manufacture as
important sunrise industries.

THE EIGHTIES
By working hard to attract investors to
these areas, Singapores and
Southeast Asias first silicon wafer
manufacture plant opened in the early
1980s, followed by Apple Computers
in 1981 and one for disc drives in
1982.
As the promotion of local enterprises
also became increasingly important,
EDB then set up the Small Enterprise
Bureau in 1986 to shape a range of
assistance schemes that helped
facilitate the growth of these
companies

THE NINETIES
The services industry flourished
to form one of the pillars of
Singapores economy, along with
the field of biomedical sciences
and emerging key industries.
This resulted in a diversification
of the citys economic structure,
with Singapore hosting a wide
range of businesses.

THE NINETIES
The 1990s saw companies moving up the value
chain and intensifying their use of technology
while the service sector became the engine for
growth.
EDB shifted its focus from manufacturing to
strengthen the new key industries, namely
chemicals, electronics and engineering.

THE NINETIES
It also began leveraging its leadership in these
industries to develop biomedical sciences; an
area that included the pharmaceutical
biotechnology and medical technology sectors.
This helped Singapores economic structure
become more diversified and balanced, resulting
in the city hosting a wide range of businesses
particularly in higher value-added activities.

THE NINETIES
It also started welcoming talent from around the
world to augment the local skill pool and
subsequently, become a hub of skilled
manpower and headquarters for decisionmaking.

THE MILLENNIUM
At the turn of the century, Singapore increased
its focus on knowledge and innovation-intensive
activities while R&D became the cornerstone of
the countrys economic development.

THE MILLENNIUM
In 2006, the government set aside more than $13 billion to promote
R&D over the next five years as part of its goal to increase gross
expenditure on R&D (GERD) from 2.25 per cent to 3 per cent of
gross domestic product (GDP) within that period.
The National Research Foundation was set up in the same year to
develop, coordinate and implement national research and
innovation strategies under the national R&D agenda. To date, most
of the R&D activity has been focused on environmental and water
technology, biomedical sciences and interactive and digital media.

THE MILLENNIUM
To further facilitate Singapore becoming an
information-led economy, a strong Intellectual
Property (IP) protection and enforcement
environment was put in place - resulting in the citys
ranking as the first in Asia for IP protection today.
Based on this foundation built over the years,
Singapore has put in place a strong and established
network of public and private sector R&D centres
which currently work closely together with
companies to commercialise new technologies,
processes and products.

2010 onwards
Challenges
In 2008-2009, the Singapore economy was hit by the global financial crisis. It
contracted by 0.8% in 2009, after experiencing sluggish growth of 1.7% in 2008.
Singapores average labour productivity in level terms in the manufacturing, services
and construction sectors has lagged behind that of developed economies. There is
thus significant room to improve productivity in every sector of our economy.
Developmental Strategies
Grow through skills and innovation
Anchor Singapore as a global-Asia hub
Build a vibrant and diverse corporate ecosystem
Make innovation pervasive, and strengthen commercialisation of R&D
Become a smart energy economy
Enhance land productivity to secure future growth
Build a distinctive global city and an endearing home

GDP IN 2013

Year

Gross Domestic Product

($ millions)

US Dollar Exchange

Nominal per capita GDP

(as % of USA)

PPP per capita GDP

(as % of USA)

1980

25,117

2.14 Singapore Dollars

39.65

55.00

1985

39,036

2.20 Singapore Dollars

36.63

63.41

1990

66,778

1.81 Singapore Dollars

52.09

74.76

1995

119,470

1.41 Singapore Dollars

86.14

90.60

2000

159,840

1.72 Singapore Dollars

66.19

91.48

2005

194,360

1.64 Singapore Dollars

67.54

103.03

2007

224,412

1.42 Singapore Dollars

74.61

107.92

2008

235,632

1.37 Singapore Dollars

73.71

107.27

2009

268,900

1.50 Singapore Dollars

78.53

108.33

2010

309,400

1.32 Singapore Dollars

82.13

119.54

2011

270,020

1.29 Singapore Dollars

2013

1.25 Singapore Dollars

This is a chart of
trend of gross
domestic product of
Singapore at
market
prices estimated by
the International
Monetary Fund.

SECTORS
Manufacturing and financial business services
accounted for 26% and 22%, respectively, of
Singapore's gross domestic product in 2000.
The electronics industry leads Singapore's
manufacturing sector, accounting for 48% of
total industrial output, but the government also
is prioritising development of the chemicals
and biotechnology industries.

SECTORS
To maintain its competitive position despite rising
wages, the government seeks to promote higher valueadded activities in the manufacturing and services
sectors.
It also has opened, or is in the process of opening, the
financial services, telecommunications, and power
generation and retailing sectors up to foreign service
providers and greater competition.
The government has also attempted some measures
including wage restraint measures and release of unused
buildings in an effort to control rising commercial rents
with the view to lowering the cost of doing business in
Singapore when central business district office rents
tripled in 2006.

BANKING
Singapore is considered a global financial hub, with
Singapore banks offering world-class corporate bank
account facilities.
These include multiple currencies, internet banking,
telephone banking, checking accounts, savings accounts,
debit and credit cards, fixed term deposits and wealth
management services.
According to the Human Rights Watch, due to its role as
a financial hub for the region, Singapore has continually
been criticised for reportedly hosting bank accounts
containing ill-gotten gains of corrupt leaders and their
associates, including billions of dollars of Burma's state
gas revenues hidden from national accounts.

BIOTECHNOLOGY
Singapore is aggressively promoting and developing
its biotechnology industry.
Hundred of millions of dollars were invested into the sector
to build up infrastructure, fund research and development
and to recruit top international scientists to Singapore.
Leading drug makers, such
as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pfizer and Merck & Co., have set
up plants in Singapore.
On 8 June 2006, GSK announced that it is investing another
S$300 million to build another plant to
produce paediatric vaccines, its first such facility in Asia.
Pharmaceuticals now account for more than 8% of the
country's manufacturing production

ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE

Singapore is the pricing centre and leading oil trading
hub in Asia. The oil industry makes up 5 per cent of
Singapore's GDP, with Singapore being one of the top
three export refining centers in the world.
In 2007 it exported 68.1 million tons of oil. The oil
industry has led to the promotion of the chemical
industry as well as oil and gas equipment manufacturing.
Singapore has 70 per cent of the world market for both
jack-up rigs and for the conversion of Floating
Production Storage Offloading units.
It has 20 per cent of the world market for ship repair,
and in 2008 the marine and offshore industry employed
almost 70,000 workers

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Singapore maintains diplomatic relations with
175 countries although it does not maintain
a high commission or embassy in many of those
countries.
It is a member of the United Nations,
the Commonwealth, ASEAN and the NonAligned Movement.

TRADE IN SINGAPORE
Top 5 Products exported by Singapore

Refined Petroleum (28%), Integrated

Circuits (7.9%), Computers (4.3%),Oxygen Amino
Compounds (3.2%), and Packaged
Medicaments (2.1%)

Top 5 Products imported by Singapore

Refined Petroleum (23%), Crude

Petroleum (12%), Integrated
Circuits (6.5%),Computers (2.7%), and Petroleum
Gas (2.0%)

Top 5 Export destinations of Singapore

China (14%), Malaysia (12%), Indonesia (12%), Hong

Kong (7.4%), andAustralia (6.0%)

TRADE IN SINGAPORE
Top 5 Import origins of Singapore:
China (12%), Malaysia (10%), South
Korea (8.4%), United States (7.1%), and
Japan (6.3%)

Singapore is ranked 10 with an Economic

Complexity Index (ECI) of 1.61342
Singapore is the top exporter of Oxygen Amino
Compounds, Sulfonamides, Glands and Other
Organs,Watch Movements, and Tin Bars.

TRADE LAWS

IMPORT TARIFFS
Singapore is generally a free port and an open
economy. More than 99% of all imports into
Singapore enter the country duty-free.
For social and/or environmental reasons,
Singapore levies high excise taxes on beer, wine
and liquor, tobacco products, motor vehicles and
petroleum products.

IMPORT TARIFFS
Singapore levies a 7% Goods and Services Tax
(GST).
For dutiable goods, the taxable value for GST is
calculated based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance and
Freight) value plus all duties and other charges. In
the case of non-dutiable foods, GST will be based on
the CIF value plus any commission and other
incidental charges whether or not shown on the
invoice.
If the goods are dutiable, the GST will be collected
simultaneously with the duties. Special provisions
pertain to goods stored in licensed warehouses and
free trade zones.

TRADE BARRIERS
Singapore maintains one of the most liberal trading
regimes in the world, but U.S. companies face
several trade barriers.
Singapore maintains a tiered motorcycle operator
licensing system based on engine displacement
which, along with a road tax based on engine size,
adversely affects U.S. exports of large motorcycles.
Singapore also restricts the import and sale of nonmedicinal chewing gum. For social and/or
environmental reasons, it levies high excise taxes on
distilled spirits and wine, tobacco products, and
motor vehicles.

TRADE BARRIERS
Services barriers include sectors such as pay TV,
audiovisual and media services, legal services,
banking, and cloud computing services for financial
institutions.
Singapores Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority
(AVA) tests every imported shipment of meat and
poultry and does not accept raw and uncooked
poultry and meat products that contain salmonella
bacteria that exceed AVAs unrealistic
microbiological standards.
This is not scientifically justifiable and has posed
some difficulties for U.S. exporters.

IMPORT REQUIREMENTS &

DOCUMENTATION
Companies must make an inward declaration for
all goods imported into Singapore. All imports
require an import permit although this is largely
a statistical requirement for most goods.

BONA FIDE TRADE SAMPLES

Import of trade samples for which the total value is
below US$320 (S$400) is not subject to payment of
duty and/or GST.
In addition, no permit is required for their import.
Bona fide trade samples (excluding liquors and
tobacco) may be imported if they are imported solely
for the purpose of soliciting orders for goods to be
supplied from abroad, for demonstration in
Singapore to enable manufacturers in Singapore to
produce such articles to fulfill orders from abroad or
by a manufacturer for the purpose of copying,
testing or experimenting before they produce such
articles in Singapore.

MEDICAL AND MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

IMPORT REGULATIONS
All medical and medicinal products, prescription
and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals imported or
sold in Singapore are required to be licensed by the
Health Sciences Authority.
The onus of applying for a product license rests with
the license holder, i.e., a locally registered company
that is responsible for the safety, quality and efficacy
of the product.
If U.S. companies have concerns regarding product
licensing, they should contact the Health Sciences
Authority

U.S. EXPORTS CONTROLS

Companies wanting to export controlled items to
Singapore must apply for licenses from the appropriate
government agencies in the United States. U.S. goods
being re-exported from intermediary consignees in
Singapore to ultimate consignees in third countries
require specific licensing.
Singapore is a major transshipment hub for the Asian
market. While many items may not initially require an
export license, exporters need to be aware that twothirds of items exported to Singapore are re-exported to
third countries that may have more stringent licensing
requirements that require additional export licenses.

U.S EXPORTS CONTROLS

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is
responsible for implementing and enforcing the
Export Administration Regulations (EAR),
which regulate the export and re-export of
certain commercial items while other U.S
government agencies regulate more specialized
exports.

TEMPORARY ENTRY
Goods may be temporarily imported under the
Temporary Import Scheme for the purpose of
repairs, displays, exhibitions or other similar events
without the payment of duty and/or GST. A bankers
guarantee is required under the Temporary Import
Scheme.
The temporary imports are covered by a Customs
Inward Permit or a Carnet. Goods temporarily
imported must be re-exported within the prescribed
period using a Customs Outward permit. GST has to
be paid if the goods are not subsequently reexported.

LABELING AND MARKING

REQUIREMENTS
Labels are required on imported food, drugs, liquors, paints and solvents
and must specify the country of origin.
A food label should contain core information such as the prescribed food
name, list of ingredients, mandatory warning, advisory statements or
allergens declarations, net weight or volume, date mark, nutritional
information panel, instructions for use or storage, country of origin, the
name and address of the business and manufacturer and importer.
Repackaged foods must be labeled to show (in English) the appropriate
designation of food content printed in capital letters at least 1/16 inch high;
whether foods are compounded, mixed or blended; the minimum quantity
stated in metric net weight or measure; the name and address of the
manufacturer or seller; and the country of origin. Illustrations must
accurately describe the true nature or origin of the food.
Foods having defined standards must be labeled to conform to those
standards and be free from added foreign substances. Packages of food
described as enriched, fortified, vitaminized or in any other way that
implies that the article contains added vitamins or minerals must show the
quantity of vitamins or minerals added per metric unit.

LABELING AND MARKING

REQUIREMENTS
There are two levels of labeling requirements for medicinal
products.

Administrative labeling requirements are not statutory

requirements and are specified in the Health Sciences Authoritys
Guidance on Medicinal Product Registration in Singapore.
Compliance is checked during the product registration process,
prior to granting of marketing approval.

For legal labeling requirements, these are stipulated in the

legislation related to medicinal products regulation in
Singapore and are subject to the Health Sciences Authoritys
surveillance program. The labeling requirements include the
name of the active ingredient, quantitative particulars,
product license number and name and address of the dealer.

LABELING AND MARKING

REQUIREMENTS
Labeling and advertising legislation also applies to
the sale of vitamins and dietary supplements.
Generally, labeling laws required that:
1) the composition of the products is disclosed in
English,
2) labels/packaging materials not contain any
references to diseases/conditions as specified in the
schedule to the Medicines (Advertisement & Sale) Act
(http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/home.w3p); and
3) the advertising/sale promotion of the product in the
public media be approved by the Health Sciences
Authority.

PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED IMPORTS

Special import licenses are required for certain goods,
including strategic items, hazardous chemicals, films and
videos, arms and ammunition, agricultural
biotechnology products, food derived from agricultural
biotechnology products, prescription drugs, over-thecounter drugs, vitamins with very high dosages of certain
nutrients, and cosmetics and skin care products. The
import of such items such as lighters in the shape of
pistols or revolvers, firecrackers, handcuffs, shell
casings, and silencers is prohibited.
Generally, the import of goods that the government
determines as posing a threat to health, security, safety
and social decency is controlled.

LAWS

LAWS IN SINGAPORE
Singapore is known for its impeccable
cleanliness and low crime rate.
The country has such a strong reputation for
being safe that the authorities had to put out a
warning stating that low crime does not mean
no crime, reminding people to stay vigilant.

LAWS IN SINGAPORE
Singapore is sometimes called The Fine City,
but the title has a double meaning that you dont
want to be on the wrong end of.
The label refers to the immaculate, or fine, state
that Singapore is in and also for the many
different fines that the country imposes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE

Singaporeans place a lot of importance on
discipline, and corporal punishment is widely
accepted. Caning is not only used to punish
criminals but also as a disciplinary measure in
schools, the military, and in the domestic scene

NO CHEWING GUM
Chewing gum is banned in Singapore so leave it
at home when packing your bags. Importation of
chewing gums into the country, even if it is not
for trading, is illegal.
Improper disposal of gum and carrying large
quantities of the banned product will cost a hefty
fine of up to $1000 for first time offenders.

NO LITTERING
Singapore is bent on maintaining its reputation of being impeccably
clean, with an active campaign against littering and stringent
enforcement in place
First time offenders who throw small items like cigarette butts or
candy wrappers are fined $300.
The punishment usually involves a Corrective Work Order (CWO),
where the offenders clean up a specified area while wearing a bright
luminous green vest. The CWO was implemented in the hopes of
making offenders realize the hardship cleaners have to go through
to keep the surroundings clean, and to make them understand just
how unsightly litter is.

NO SMOKING
Smoking is prohibited in certain areas in Singapore. The
smoking prohibition currently covers all indoor places
where the public congregates.
The ban was revised in 2009 to include indoor public
places that are not air-conditioned such as shopping
centers, offices, and shops. Outdoor public facilities like
fitness areas, sports courts, and playgrounds were also
included in the extension.
In 2013, the ban extended even further to include multipurpose halls, pedestrian overhead bridges, covered
walkways and linkways, hospital outdoor compounds,
and a 5-meter perimeter around bus shelters. The
extension also includes common areas of residential
buildings.

NO HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONS
The legislation on Outrages on Decency
criminalizes same sex relations.
This law used to be under the umbrella of
unnatural sex or sex against the order of
nature.
Violators of this law can cost the offender up to
two years in prison.

NO JAYWALKING
In Singapore, jaywalking mainly refers to
crossing the street in non-designated areas.
Make sure you look for marked pedestrian lanes
before crossing the street.

VANDALISM
Vandalism is a serious offense in Singapore, with
penalties that include not only fines but also jail,
and 3 to 8 strokes of caning.
The act constitutes damages done to both public and
private properties.
Damaging, destroying and stealing public property,
as well as drawing, painting, writing, inscribing, and
marking any private property without the owners
consent are considered illegal.
Affixing placards, posters, banners, and flags is also
prohibited.

NO TO DRUGS
It is important to note that the Singaporean
authority does not distinguish between drugs
taken back home before you entered the country,
and those taken within their borders.
The Singapore police is authorized to run a
random drug test on both locals and visiting
foreigners.
Make sure you are cleared of any substance
before entering the country.

URINATING IN THE ELEVATORS AND NOT

FLUSHING TOILETS
Not flushing the toilet is more than just a breach
of propriety in Singapore, you will be breaking
the law if you do so. Expect to pay a fine if you
get caught.
Dont even think of urinating in elevators, as
they are equipped with Urine Detection Devices
(UDD).
These devices detect the scent of urine, setting off
an alarm and closing the doors until the police
arrive to arrest the offender.

STRICT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

You're not permitted to eat, drink, or breastfeed
on the trains. Not even a sip of plain water.
According to the website of the SMRT, the
country's transport authority:
Drinking plain water, or any beverage for that
matter, is also not permitted because it could
spill and wet seats, soil other commuters
belongings or cause them to slip and fall.

LEAVE YOUR PORN, SWORDS AND

PIRATED DVDS AT HOME
Bringing porn into the country can carry a fine of
up to $1,000 as well as imprisonment.
Be sure to leave home: chewing tobacco, lighters
shaped like guns, counterfeit DVDs or
copyrighted materials, swords, endangered
species, firecrackers and treasonous materials.

HOLD YOUR TONGUE ABOUT THE

SINGAPOREAN GOVERNMENT
Censorship of radio, broadcast and other forms
of media are strict in Singapore.
The Internal Security Act and Criminal Law Act
allows activists to be detained without trial
indefinitely.
According to a Gallup world poll, Singapore
ranks 106th in terms of its citizens feeling safe
speaking out against the government.

THIS IS NOT A COUNTRY FOR LEFTIES

Don't use your left hand to greet, wave, eat or
interact with someone of Malay, Indian or
Indonesian descent because it's the hand
associated with using the restroom.

NO POKING ADVERSE COMMENTS TO

RELIGION
If youre agnostic or atheist, keep it under wraps
because in Singapore its a highly serious matter
and you can be cited for sedition.

OUTDOOR MEETINGS
A police permit is required for any outdoor
public assembly or procession.
You should avoid street gatherings and public
demonstrations as they might be illegal.
Filming an illegal public gathering is also
forbidden, as is the wearing or displaying of any
cause related material without permission.

TIPS FOR BUSINESS

TRAVELERS

TIPS FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS

Being on time is important
Handshakes are the traditional form of greeting but
traditional Singaporean Malays and Indians might not
shake hands of members of the opposite sex;
Singaporean Chinese may bow but won't expect this of
foreigners
Gifts may be considered bribes
Seniority is importanteldest should be greeted first
Sometimes "yes" means "no" or "maybe," because
Singaporeans want to avoid conflict
Avoid direct eye contact for long periods; it's considered
rude

References:
http://www.edb.gov.sg/content/edb/en/whysingapore/about-singapore/ourhistory/2000s.html
http://www.mti.gov.sg/MTIInsights/Pages/20
10-onwards.aspx
http://www.export.gov/singapore/doingbusin
essinsingapore/traderegulationscustomsandsta
ndards/index.asp