The IE Market Series gives companies an insider’s view on trends and developments in fast-evolving global economies. Consolidating market insights from IE Singapore’s Directors across our global offices, the series sheds light on business opportunities for Singapore companies in overseas markets.

These articles are part of a weekly series published in The Straits Times.

Market Access

Platform for Singapore firms to expand abroad (16 Nov 2011)
The constraints of a limited domestic market have long forced Singapore companies to look overseas to expand their businesses but the strategy is not as easy as it was.

Seeking strength in numbers (23 Nov 2011)
As countries around the world liberalise their markets, competition will keep heating up for Singapore firms seeking to expand their footprint globally.

Entering a new market? Here’s help (30 Nov 2011)
International organisations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) often make the news for their involvement in helping companies through economic dire straits.

The road to global brand recognition (7 Dec 2011)
Whatever business you are in, there bound to be a trade show to suit it. More than 75 percent of 306 companies surveyed by IE Singapore said trade shows are an effective platform to generate publicity.

China

Now's the time to ride China's clean-tech wave (7 Sep 2011)
Beijing-based Michelle Chow, IE Singapore's Regional Director for North China, talks about how Singapore-based companies can have a competitive edge in providing eco-solutions as China moves towards sustainable development.

New frontiers beckon in China's wow wow West (31 Aug 2011)
Chengdu-based Chiong Woan Shin, IE Singapore's Regional Director for West China, talks about the opportunities for transport & logistics and urban infrastructure in the development of west China.

Winning over the Chinese market (24 Aug 2011)
Shanghai-based Liane Ong, IE Singapore’s Regional Director for East China, highlights the value of R&D and marketing investments, as well as strategic alliances, for companies looking to reach the new-age Chinese customer.

From “made in China” to “invented in China” (17 Aug 2011)
IE Singapore’s Group Director for China, Law Chung Ming, highlights business opportunities in the Chinese government’s industrial upgrading efforts, with increased infrastructure investments and raised minimum wages.

Rising affluent class a key driver (10 Aug 2011)
IE Singapore’s Group Director for China, Ignatius Lim, talks about the market’s changing business landscape and “sweet spots” for Singapore-based companies in the consumer, manufacturing and marine industries.

Europe

Consider strategic partnerships in Europe (5 Oct 2011)
IE Singapore's Europe Group Director, Ho Chee Hin, highlights the bright spots that remain in the region, including why companies may consider strategic partnerships with Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises.

To Russia with hope (3 Aug 2011)
Hanly Chen, IE Singapore's Centre Director based in Moscow, speaks about opportunities and challenges of doing business in Russia with consumerism on the rise. As Russia transitions to a market economy, finding the right partner and having a first-mover advantage are critical factors for success.

India

India’s challenges ‘are opportunities waiting to be tapped’ (2 Nov 2011)
India's mass urbanisation will require US$1.2 trillion in infrastructure investment by 2030, and 20 times the road capacity and metro lines added in the past decade. The Indian government recently announced the setting aside of $60 billion for infrastructure development, specifically through public-private partnership investments in areas such as airports, seaports, roads and highways to logistics parks. As these projects typically have long gestation periods, companies need to take into account the challenges of physical connectivity when doing business in India today. For Singapore companies, this is an opportunity to turn a challenge into opportunity, says Mr Ryan Ang, divisional director for South Asia at IE Singapore.

Japan

Opportunity beckons in land of the rising sun (27 Oct 2011)
Mr Cheong Kim Gin, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore's regional director for North Asia and Pacific Group says about doing business in Japan.

Latin America

Brazil beckons with business opportunities (28 Sep 2011)
Anchit Sood, IE Singapore's Centre Director based in Brazil, provides insights about doing business in Brazil. He says that companies need to take a long-term view of the market. Singapore, through the country's shipyards and other oil and gas and marine off-shore capabilities, is relatively well known in Brazil's oil & gas community.

Colombia's tech sector a growth area to tap (27 Jul 2011)
Jocelyn Cai, IE Singapore’s Centre Director based in Latin America, highlights opportunities in Colombia, one of the fastest-growing markets in the region. With the need for connectivity driving demand for technology services, having tailored strategies and English-speaking local partners will help Singapore companies break into this market.

Middle East

Mega projects rolling out in Qatar (19 Oct 2011)
Kenneth Sim, International Enterprise Singapore’s centre director based in Qatar, talks about seizing opportunities early, ahead of the World Cup in 2022. He said Singapore companies entering the region for the first time may find it challenging to compete against established rivals.

More than just petrodollars in Abu Dhabi (12 Oct 2011)
Mr. Albert Tan, International Enterprise(IE) Singapore's centre director based in Abu Dhuabi, talks about doing business in the region.

South East Asia

Singapore firms keen to get slice of Myanmar pie (02 Feb 2012)
Singapore firms are rubbing their hands in anticipation at the opportunities arising from Myanmar’s moves to liberalise its economy.

Opportunities in Indonesia, but know your regions (21 Sep 2011)
IE Singapore's Regional Director Lee Yee Fung, based in Jakarta, talks about how companies can leverage on the market’s broad-based growth to take their businesses pan-Indonesia.

Business opportunities not so far from home (14 Sep 2011)
IE Singapore's Group Director for Southeast Asia, Tan Soon Kim, highlights the need for a pan-Southeast Asia strategy for companies keen to ride on opportunities in consumerism and regional integration.

United States

US economy: Battered but by no means knocked out (9 Nov 2011)
Mr G Jayakrishnan, International Enterprise Singapore's Americas Group Director, who is based in New York share insights on doing business in the United States.