Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude (137 kilometres or 85 miles) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Straits of Malacca to the west, the Riau Islands (Indonesia) to the south, and the South China Sea to the east. 

Singapore has a highly developed market economy. Along with Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, Singapore is one of the Four Asian Tigers, but has surpassed its peers in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita.

The Singaporean economy is regarded as free, innovative, dynamic and business-friendly. For several years, Singapore has been one of the few countries with an AAA credit rating from the big three, and the only Asian country to achieve this rating.

One of Four Asian Tigers

The Four Asian Tigers are the high-growth economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Fueled by exports and rapid industrialization, the Four Asian Tigers have consistently maintained high levels of economic growth since the 1960s, and have collectively joined the ranks of the world's wealthiest nations.

Singapore has a notoriously transparent regulatory environment and well-secured property rights, which provide valuable commercial security to its private sector.

Most Competitive Economies

Singapore is the most competitive economies in the world.

Global Cities Outlook Ranks 3rd

In KEARNEY'S 2020 Global Cities Outlook Rand, Singapore ranks third.

The Only Country in Asia with AAA sovereign rating

Singapore is the only country in Asia with an AAA sovereign rating from all major rating agencies. This makes Singapore Government Securities (SGS) some of the safest possible investments to hold.

Two Rapid-growing Sovereign Wealth Funds

Temasek

Alongside the business-friendly reputation, state-owned enterprises play a substantial role in Singapore's economy. The sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings holds majority stakes in several of the nation's largest companies, such as Singapore Airlines, SingTel, ST Engineering and MediaCorp. 

Temasek is a global investment company headquartered in Singapore. Temasek owns and manages a net portfolio of S$306 billion (as of 31 March 2020), with S$26 billion divested and S$32 billion invested during the year, and 66% exposure to Asia – 24% Singapore and 42% Asia ex-Singapore.

GIC

Established in 1981 to manage Singapore's foreign reserves, GIC is a global long-term investor with well over US$100 billion in assets in over 40 countries worldwide. 

Over the 20-year period that ended 31 March 2020, GIC achieved an annualized rate of return of 2.7% above global inflation. In other words, the international purchasing power of the reserves nearly doubled during the 20-year period.