Entering South-East Asia
through Singapore
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Low Jeng-tek
Honorary Council of Latvia in Singapore
Agenda
 Why South-East Asia (SEA)?
 Why Singapore?
 Matching Industries and
Opportunities
Why South-East Asia (SEA)?
By 2030
 China will be world’s largest economy, double the size of US economy
 India’s economy will be 5 times larger, representing 10% of global GDP
 How does this relate to SEA?
Why South-East Asia (SEA)?
 Part of historical trades routes for 900 years - SEA will rise naturally as
Chindia rises
 E7: predicted to be larger than G7 economies by 2050
 Includes Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Mexico, Turkey
What does the Rise of the
Middle Class mean?
Example: Vietnam
 1994 Per Capita Urban Income: USD 500
2009 Per Capita Urban Income: USD 5,052
 Explosive growth propels major lifestyle changes
Bicycles
Motorcycles
Cars
Corner Shops
Minimarts
Hypermarts
Agricultural Goods
Shoes Manufacturing
Chip Makers
Why Singapore?
Singapore offers access to 2.8 billion people
within a 7 hour flight radius
Why Singapore?
History
 Founded in 1819 as a
free port
 Competition against
Dutch mercantilism
 Monsoon trade routes
Why Singapore?
Singapore Today
 Global Hub along with
New York, London, Hong Kong
 Springboard to the region
 Regional HQ centre for
P&G, HP, IBM, Rolls Royce
 World's largest transhipment
hub port
 Connected to more than 600
ports in 123 countries
Why Singapore?
•
•
•
•
•
TRUST
KNOWLEDGE
CONNECTED
Integrity
Quality
Reliability
Productivity
Strong legal
system
• Knowledgebased
manufacturing
and services
• Thought and
information hub
• Commitment
to education
and skills
• Physical
connectivity
• People and
business
networks
LIFE
• Excellent place
to live, work,
learn and play
Why Singapore?
Singapore Today
 Ranked 1st in the world for:
 Easiest place to do business
 Most competitive country
 Most transparent country
 Most “network ready” country
 Least corruption (in Asia)
 Best business environment
 Best protection of intellectual
property
Why Singapore?
In 2010
Total population ('000)
5,076.7
Resident population ('000)
3,771.7
Resident population growth
1.8% per annum (per sq km)
Population by Race
Chinese (74.2%); Malay (13.4%);
Indians (9.2%); Others (3.2%)
Population by age ('000)
Below 15 (654.4); 15- 64 (2,778.9); 65 and above
(338.3)
Official languages
English (Language of administration),
Mandarin, Malay (National Language) & Tamil
Main religions
Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism, Hinduism
Low Jeng-tek – Resume
 Ethnicity:






Chinese
Age:
40s
Marital Status: Married; Child on the way
Education:
National University of Singapore; INSEAD (MBA)
Military:
Infantry Company Commander
Brigade Logistics Officer – Estb. Rank: Major
Early Career: - Commercial Banking
- CEO of Homestead Holdings (Furniture Retailer
and Interior Designer)
Current:
- Investment Management: US$2bn, Gems Advisors
- Managing Director of Eight Lights Property Investments
Low Siew Thiam – Resume
 Ethnicity:





Chinese
Age:
70s
Marital Status: Married; 3 boys
Education:
London School of Economics
Early Career: - Straits Times - Reporter
- Shell (Personnel Manager) - MNC
- Singtel (Personnel Director) - GLC
- Sime Darby (Marketing Director)- SEA Conglomerate
- Homestead Furniture (Founder & Chairman) - Entrepreneur
Semi-retirement: Lectured at INSEAD, Stanford University
Academic Director at Institute of Advertising
Strategy Consultant to A Baurs (Suisse) in Sri Lanka
Consultant in Vietnam, Thailand & China
Relevant Industries
Logistics & Supply Chain Management
 World’s Number 1 Logistics Hub – 2007.
 Asian Logistics Hub for HP, LVMH, Siemens
 Specialised Infrastructure include Airport Logistics Park of Singapore
(ALPS); No.2 busiest port in the world.
 Forefront of Innovation with The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific
 Conferences: Logistics World, Supply Chain Asia
Relevant Industries
Finance
 Ranked 3rd in Global Financial Centres Index 2008
 Deep & Liquid Markets in:
 Equities – SGX / REITs
 Bond Market
 Foreign Exchange –Yuan Trading
 Major Commercial Banks HQ;
Private Banks; Asset Management; Hedge Funds
 Capital Raising
Relevant Industries
Chemicals
 Global Energy & Chemical Hub – Top 10
 Over 100 Specialty Companies – 3M, Shell, Exxon Mobil
 Shell – Largest Petrochemical Investment To Date
 Exxon Mobil – Largest Chemical & Refining Site in the World
 Jurong Island
 Seven Islands into One
 Self-contained Hub
 Plug-and-play Environment
Relevant Industries
Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
 Growth in Asia  Growth of Pharmaceuticals
 Legal Framework – Clear, Transparent, Efficient
 Trusted Base in Asia – Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb
 Global Talent Pool
 Ideal Racial Composition
 English-educated Society – language of Science
 Pro-business Environment with Short Lead Time
 Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) setup in April 2001
 15 minutes – Online Business Registration
3 weeks – Approval for Clinical Trials
Relevant Industries
Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
 one-north
 200 hectare Development in Central Singapore
 Self-sustaining Centre to Live, Work and Learn
 3 Purpose-built Hubs: Biopolis, Fusionopolis,
Mediapolis
 More than 3500 International Scientists and
Researchers
 World-class R&D Facilities for Biomedical
Sciences, Infocomm Technology, Media,
Physical Sciences and Engineering