According to the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, Singapore is among the top three most competitive economies globally, alongside Switzerland and Hong Kong. Its position is explained by concrete strengths: efficient public administration, world-class infrastructure, transparent regulation, and a business environment built for international expansion. These qualities make Singapore a natural choice for global companies deciding where to allocate capital and launch new projects.
A key advantage in 2025 is the country’s talent policy. While many advanced economies are tightening immigration, Singapore has expanded the Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass. This scheme grants senior executives and founders a five-year residence permit, with the ability to bring their families and change employers freely. For entrepreneurs and investors, this is not just a visa program but a guarantee of continuity: the specialists they hire can remain in Singapore and grow operations over the long term without fear of sudden regulatory shifts.
What makes this particularly striking is the contrast: while Europe wrestles with stagnant productivity and the U.S. slows amid monetary tightening, Singapore shows how a small, trade-dependent nation can still deliver growth through policy clarity, institutional credibility, and global connectivity.
A Safe Haven in an Unstable World
In an era of geopolitical fragmentation and economic volatility, Singapore’s position as the most stable and predictable jurisdiction in Asia has only become stronger. In the Global Peace Index 2025, the city-state was ranked the safest country in Asia and 6th worldwide, ahead of Japan, South Korea, and even several long-established European economies. For global wealth holders and business leaders, this is not a symbolic accolade but a decisive signal: safety and rule of law translate directly into confidence when making relocation or investment decisions.
Unlike Hong Kong, which continues to suffer from political intervention and uncertainty, Singapore offers a governance framework that is deliberately insulated from turbulence. The judiciary remains independent, contracts are enforceable, and arbitration enjoys global recognition. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) recorded a record number of cases in 2025, consolidating its role as the preferred neutral venue for cross-border disputes. For corporations and high-net-worth families alike, this infrastructure of trust provides predictability not just in the day-to-day, but in long-term planning around estate management, corporate structuring, and succession.
This institutional stability is mirrored by the surge in wealth management activity. By the end of 2024, the number of family offices in Singapore exceeded 2,000, marking a 43 % increase from 2023’s 1,400. Importantly, MAS has tightened the 13O and 13U tax incentive regimes, requiring higher substance in terms of local hiring and expenditure, yet offering clearer and more credible rules of engagement. For investors, this has elevated Singapore’s profile: it is not just a safe haven for storing capital, but a reliable jurisdiction where long-term wealth planning can be executed with certainty.
Financial Hub: Beyond Wealth Preservation
Singapore in 2025 is no longer merely a custodian of global wealth; it has matured into a hub where capital is actively deployed into innovation, sustainability, and cross-border growth. Assets under management (AUM) surpassed USD 5.5 trillion, with substantial inflows from Europe, the Middle East, and North America offsetting slower momentum elsewhere in Asia. This reinforces the city’s dual identity: both as a trusted safe house for wealth preservation and as a forward-looking financial marketplace.
The transformation has been driven by MAS’s shift from passive oversight to proactive innovation. In 2025, the authority expanded Project Guardian, a pioneering initiative with DBS, JPMorgan, HSBC, and Standard Chartered, piloting tokenized bonds and funds designed to lay the foundations for institutional-grade digital assets. At the same time, MAS launched the Green and Transition Finance Grant Scheme, offering targeted incentives for financial institutions to design credible ESG-linked and transition financing products. These programs do more than build market depth; they establish Singapore as the jurisdiction setting international standards in digital finance and sustainable investment.
Meanwhile, regulatory changes in the family office space underscore Singapore’s unique position. While the local spending requirements have been increased to ensure greater economic contribution, MAS has streamlined approvals for philanthropic and impact-driven structures, aligning global wealth with the city’s long-term development agenda. The result is a jurisdiction that not only protects assets but also channels them into sustainable deployment — be it capital markets, venture financing, or philanthropic initiatives. This blend of credibility and innovation explains why Singapore is increasingly seen not just as the Switzerland of Asia, but as its Wall Street as well.
Why Doing Business in Singapore Has Become Better in 2025
Beyond finance, Singapore has worked systematically to improve the broader environment for long-term entrepreneurship. Incorporation remains one of the fastest in the world — a company can be established in less than 48 hours through the fully digital BizFile+ system. More importantly, ongoing compliance has been simplified thanks to new digital corporate services rolled out in 2025, reducing friction for both domestic and foreign-owned firms.
Tax clarity continues to be a defining strength. While corporate tax is capped at 17%, effective rates are frequently lower due to exemptions and targeted incentives. In 2025, Singapore signed new bilateral tax treaties with the UAE and the UK, lowering withholding obligations and strengthening its role as a hub for global structures. For multinational groups and investment funds, this translates into not only fiscal efficiency but also strategic certainty in cross-border planning.
Support programs have expanded as well. The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) and Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), traditionally focused on digitalization and overseas expansion, were broadened in 2025 to include sustainability-linked transformation projects, reflecting the national commitment to align economic growth with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Meanwhile, under the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP), priority backing is being given to startups in energy efficiency, EV infrastructure, and carbon trading, offering founders not only funding but a direct link to national strategic priorities.
At the same time, Singapore has improved conditions for long-term projects by reinforcing policy reliability. Unlike many jurisdictions where regulations shift unpredictably, Singapore lays out a clear 10- to 15-year vision — from urban planning to fiscal policy — enabling entrepreneurs and corporates to make commitments with confidence. This consistency has transformed Singapore from a tactical base for regional operations into a strategic hub for global business planning, where capital, people, and projects can all be anchored with minimal political or regulatory risk.
Who Is Moving to Singapore — and Why
Singapore’s appeal in 2025 is not uniform — it is particularly strong for certain types of businesses, investors, and founders who gain the most from its unique mix of stability, connectivity, and incentives. Understanding this fit is essential for entrepreneurs weighing whether to relocate operations or capital.
Financial Services, Asset Managers, and Family Offices
Singapore has become the natural base for global finance in Asia. The surge to more than 1,600 registered family offices is only part of the story. Major firms such as Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund founded by Ray Dalio, chose Singapore as its Asia hub. Other global names — BlackRock, Citadel, and Millennium Management — have also expanded their presence here in recent years. What draws them is a combination of regulatory credibility from MAS and immediate proximity to Asia’s growth markets. For wealth managers, Singapore offers what few other jurisdictions can: recognition and trust from U.S. and European regulators, paired with direct access to ASEAN’s fast-expanding economies.
Technology and the Digital Economy
Beyond finance, Singapore is rapidly becoming the home of choice for tech giants and digital-first businesses. Google, Meta, and Microsoft already operate their Asia-Pacific headquarters here. In 2025, Coinbase expanded its regional hub in Singapore, attracted by MAS’s clear crypto regulatory framework under the Payment Services Act. Robotics innovators like WeRide, which launched the first commercial robobus service on Sentosa, treat Singapore as a live testing ground for autonomous mobility and AI-driven infrastructure. For both established giants and emerging startups, the city-state provides the rare mix of advanced regulation and real-world application.
Sustainability and Industrial Innovation
Singapore also appeals strongly to sustainability-driven and high-tech industrial companies. Energy transition leaders such as Vestas in renewables, alongside carbon capture startups, are anchoring operations here to benefit from the Enterprise Sustainability Programme and incentives under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. At the same time, high value-add manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors and biotech are flourishing. TSMC, Micron, and Pfizer have all committed billions of dollars into new Singapore facilities over the past five years, attracted by stable infrastructure, skilled talent, and long-term R&D incentives.
Regionally Scalable Entrepreneurs
For founders building businesses designed to scale across Asia, Singapore remains the strategic launchpad. Whether it is a fintech startup serving ASEAN’s underbanked, a medtech firm seeking fast-track clinical approvals, or a logistics company leveraging global shipping lanes, Singapore offers the environment to grow. The bilingual workforce, trusted legal system, and a network of more than 90 double-taxation treaties allow companies to expand regionally while keeping headquarters in a secure, credible jurisdiction.
WealthTech, InsurTech, and RegTech
In 2025, Singapore’s financial ecosystem extends well beyond banks and asset managers. WealthTech platforms like Endowus and StashAway are scaling under MAS’s licensing regime, offering digital wealth solutions for both high-net-worth families and retail investors. InsurTech startups, supported by global players such as Prudential and AXA, are testing micro-insurance and health products within MAS’s FinTech Regulatory Sandbox. At the same time, RegTech firms are building automated KYC and AML tools, leveraging Singapore’s reputation for strict compliance standards. Collectively, these sectors position the city-state not only as a trusted hub for finance, but also as a proving ground for the next generation of compliance and wealth technologies.
Logistics and Trade Multinationals
As the world’s second-busiest container port and Asia’s top transshipment hub, Singapore remains central to global logistics. DHL, FedEx, and UPS run their regional command centers here, while shipping giants like Maersk and PSA International are investing in smart port systems that use AI and blockchain to streamline operations. Beyond physical infrastructure, Singapore has built a digital trade ecosystem through the Networked Trade Platform (NTP), which simplifies cross-border documentation. This combination of location, advanced infrastructure, and policy support makes Singapore indispensable for companies managing supply chains between East and West.
NB! The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the content is accurate and up-to-date, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation. For personalized advice or assistance with legal matters, please contact our specialists directly.
A key advantage in 2025 is the country’s talent policy. While many advanced economies are tightening immigration, Singapore has expanded the Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass. This scheme grants senior executives and founders a five-year residence permit, with the ability to bring their families and change employers freely. For entrepreneurs and investors, this is not just a visa program but a guarantee of continuity: the specialists they hire can remain in Singapore and grow operations over the long term without fear of sudden regulatory shifts.
What makes this particularly striking is the contrast: while Europe wrestles with stagnant productivity and the U.S. slows amid monetary tightening, Singapore shows how a small, trade-dependent nation can still deliver growth through policy clarity, institutional credibility, and global connectivity.
A Safe Haven in an Unstable World
In an era of geopolitical fragmentation and economic volatility, Singapore’s position as the most stable and predictable jurisdiction in Asia has only become stronger. In the Global Peace Index 2025, the city-state was ranked the safest country in Asia and 6th worldwide, ahead of Japan, South Korea, and even several long-established European economies. For global wealth holders and business leaders, this is not a symbolic accolade but a decisive signal: safety and rule of law translate directly into confidence when making relocation or investment decisions.
Unlike Hong Kong, which continues to suffer from political intervention and uncertainty, Singapore offers a governance framework that is deliberately insulated from turbulence. The judiciary remains independent, contracts are enforceable, and arbitration enjoys global recognition. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) recorded a record number of cases in 2025, consolidating its role as the preferred neutral venue for cross-border disputes. For corporations and high-net-worth families alike, this infrastructure of trust provides predictability not just in the day-to-day, but in long-term planning around estate management, corporate structuring, and succession.
This institutional stability is mirrored by the surge in wealth management activity. By the end of 2024, the number of family offices in Singapore exceeded 2,000, marking a 43 % increase from 2023’s 1,400. Importantly, MAS has tightened the 13O and 13U tax incentive regimes, requiring higher substance in terms of local hiring and expenditure, yet offering clearer and more credible rules of engagement. For investors, this has elevated Singapore’s profile: it is not just a safe haven for storing capital, but a reliable jurisdiction where long-term wealth planning can be executed with certainty.
Financial Hub: Beyond Wealth Preservation
Singapore in 2025 is no longer merely a custodian of global wealth; it has matured into a hub where capital is actively deployed into innovation, sustainability, and cross-border growth. Assets under management (AUM) surpassed USD 5.5 trillion, with substantial inflows from Europe, the Middle East, and North America offsetting slower momentum elsewhere in Asia. This reinforces the city’s dual identity: both as a trusted safe house for wealth preservation and as a forward-looking financial marketplace.
The transformation has been driven by MAS’s shift from passive oversight to proactive innovation. In 2025, the authority expanded Project Guardian, a pioneering initiative with DBS, JPMorgan, HSBC, and Standard Chartered, piloting tokenized bonds and funds designed to lay the foundations for institutional-grade digital assets. At the same time, MAS launched the Green and Transition Finance Grant Scheme, offering targeted incentives for financial institutions to design credible ESG-linked and transition financing products. These programs do more than build market depth; they establish Singapore as the jurisdiction setting international standards in digital finance and sustainable investment.
Meanwhile, regulatory changes in the family office space underscore Singapore’s unique position. While the local spending requirements have been increased to ensure greater economic contribution, MAS has streamlined approvals for philanthropic and impact-driven structures, aligning global wealth with the city’s long-term development agenda. The result is a jurisdiction that not only protects assets but also channels them into sustainable deployment — be it capital markets, venture financing, or philanthropic initiatives. This blend of credibility and innovation explains why Singapore is increasingly seen not just as the Switzerland of Asia, but as its Wall Street as well.
Why Doing Business in Singapore Has Become Better in 2025
Beyond finance, Singapore has worked systematically to improve the broader environment for long-term entrepreneurship. Incorporation remains one of the fastest in the world — a company can be established in less than 48 hours through the fully digital BizFile+ system. More importantly, ongoing compliance has been simplified thanks to new digital corporate services rolled out in 2025, reducing friction for both domestic and foreign-owned firms.
Tax clarity continues to be a defining strength. While corporate tax is capped at 17%, effective rates are frequently lower due to exemptions and targeted incentives. In 2025, Singapore signed new bilateral tax treaties with the UAE and the UK, lowering withholding obligations and strengthening its role as a hub for global structures. For multinational groups and investment funds, this translates into not only fiscal efficiency but also strategic certainty in cross-border planning.
Support programs have expanded as well. The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) and Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), traditionally focused on digitalization and overseas expansion, were broadened in 2025 to include sustainability-linked transformation projects, reflecting the national commitment to align economic growth with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Meanwhile, under the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP), priority backing is being given to startups in energy efficiency, EV infrastructure, and carbon trading, offering founders not only funding but a direct link to national strategic priorities.
At the same time, Singapore has improved conditions for long-term projects by reinforcing policy reliability. Unlike many jurisdictions where regulations shift unpredictably, Singapore lays out a clear 10- to 15-year vision — from urban planning to fiscal policy — enabling entrepreneurs and corporates to make commitments with confidence. This consistency has transformed Singapore from a tactical base for regional operations into a strategic hub for global business planning, where capital, people, and projects can all be anchored with minimal political or regulatory risk.
Who Is Moving to Singapore — and Why
Singapore’s appeal in 2025 is not uniform — it is particularly strong for certain types of businesses, investors, and founders who gain the most from its unique mix of stability, connectivity, and incentives. Understanding this fit is essential for entrepreneurs weighing whether to relocate operations or capital.
Financial Services, Asset Managers, and Family Offices
Singapore has become the natural base for global finance in Asia. The surge to more than 1,600 registered family offices is only part of the story. Major firms such as Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund founded by Ray Dalio, chose Singapore as its Asia hub. Other global names — BlackRock, Citadel, and Millennium Management — have also expanded their presence here in recent years. What draws them is a combination of regulatory credibility from MAS and immediate proximity to Asia’s growth markets. For wealth managers, Singapore offers what few other jurisdictions can: recognition and trust from U.S. and European regulators, paired with direct access to ASEAN’s fast-expanding economies.
Technology and the Digital Economy
Beyond finance, Singapore is rapidly becoming the home of choice for tech giants and digital-first businesses. Google, Meta, and Microsoft already operate their Asia-Pacific headquarters here. In 2025, Coinbase expanded its regional hub in Singapore, attracted by MAS’s clear crypto regulatory framework under the Payment Services Act. Robotics innovators like WeRide, which launched the first commercial robobus service on Sentosa, treat Singapore as a live testing ground for autonomous mobility and AI-driven infrastructure. For both established giants and emerging startups, the city-state provides the rare mix of advanced regulation and real-world application.
Sustainability and Industrial Innovation
Singapore also appeals strongly to sustainability-driven and high-tech industrial companies. Energy transition leaders such as Vestas in renewables, alongside carbon capture startups, are anchoring operations here to benefit from the Enterprise Sustainability Programme and incentives under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. At the same time, high value-add manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors and biotech are flourishing. TSMC, Micron, and Pfizer have all committed billions of dollars into new Singapore facilities over the past five years, attracted by stable infrastructure, skilled talent, and long-term R&D incentives.
Regionally Scalable Entrepreneurs
For founders building businesses designed to scale across Asia, Singapore remains the strategic launchpad. Whether it is a fintech startup serving ASEAN’s underbanked, a medtech firm seeking fast-track clinical approvals, or a logistics company leveraging global shipping lanes, Singapore offers the environment to grow. The bilingual workforce, trusted legal system, and a network of more than 90 double-taxation treaties allow companies to expand regionally while keeping headquarters in a secure, credible jurisdiction.
WealthTech, InsurTech, and RegTech
In 2025, Singapore’s financial ecosystem extends well beyond banks and asset managers. WealthTech platforms like Endowus and StashAway are scaling under MAS’s licensing regime, offering digital wealth solutions for both high-net-worth families and retail investors. InsurTech startups, supported by global players such as Prudential and AXA, are testing micro-insurance and health products within MAS’s FinTech Regulatory Sandbox. At the same time, RegTech firms are building automated KYC and AML tools, leveraging Singapore’s reputation for strict compliance standards. Collectively, these sectors position the city-state not only as a trusted hub for finance, but also as a proving ground for the next generation of compliance and wealth technologies.
Logistics and Trade Multinationals
As the world’s second-busiest container port and Asia’s top transshipment hub, Singapore remains central to global logistics. DHL, FedEx, and UPS run their regional command centers here, while shipping giants like Maersk and PSA International are investing in smart port systems that use AI and blockchain to streamline operations. Beyond physical infrastructure, Singapore has built a digital trade ecosystem through the Networked Trade Platform (NTP), which simplifies cross-border documentation. This combination of location, advanced infrastructure, and policy support makes Singapore indispensable for companies managing supply chains between East and West.
NB! The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the content is accurate and up-to-date, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation. For personalized advice or assistance with legal matters, please contact our specialists directly.
How we can help
- Business Relocation Assistance: We provide comprehensive support for relocating your business to Singapore, ensuring a smooth transition in line with local regulations and market requirements.
- Company Incorporation in Singapore: Our team guides you through the process of opening a company, handling all legal, administrative, and regulatory requirements to establish your presence quickly and efficiently.
- Visa and Documentation Support: We assist with visa applications, work permits, and other necessary documents, ensuring your employees and executives can move and operate in Singapore seamlessly.
- Regulatory and Association Liaison: We offer expert guidance when interacting with Singapore’s regulators and industry associations, ensuring compliance and fostering good relationships.
- Partner and Investor Sourcing: We help you connect with local partners and investors, leveraging our extensive network to foster growth and investment opportunities for your business.
- Employee Hiring and Onboarding: Our team supports recruitment and onboarding, ensuring you hire top talent in Singapore while adhering to all employment regulations and practices.