Singapore serves as a gateway to Asia for German companies
Singapore is not even as big as Hamburg, but is one of the richest countries in the world. Many German companies also use the city state as an account point for their ASEAN business.
Anyone flying to Singapore does not have to allow much time at Changi Airport. This is because the small island state's international airport operates extremely efficiently. Business people really appreciate this, reports Dominique Herold, who, as Managing Director of the German Center Singapore, supports German companies making the move to Southeast Asia: "You always try to break the record when you fly back into Singapore," she says in the podcast "Wirtschaft Welt & Weit". You can make it from touchdown on the runway to the outside in just 20 minutes.
The airport is a kind of calling card for Singapore. The country likes to put the pedal to the metal in other ways too. For ASEAN expert Daniel Müller, it is part of the island state's DNA to be a little "faster, better and smarter" than others. The people are aware of the difficult geopolitical environment and always strive to compensate at least to some extent for Singapore's great dependence on raw materials, energy and food. This mindset is also reflected in the business culture, reports Müller: "And companies benefit from this."
Over 2000 German companies are currently active in Singapore. In addition to a good business climate, the country's proximity to other ASEAN states means that it is seen as a springboard for the whole of Southeast Asia. Where exactly is the future potential? Which sectors are particularly in demand? And how is multicultural Singapore positioning itself in the field of tension between the West and China? Host Mary Abdelaziz-Ditzow discusses this and more in the new podcast episode with her guests Dominique Herold and Daniel Müller.
Dominique Herold has been living in Singapore for six years. She has headed the German Center for Industry and Trade there for three years and offers first-hand impressions. Daniel Müller, on the other hand, looks at Singapore from the outside and always keeps a close eye on the neighboring countries: He is ASEAN Regional Manager at OAV - German-Asia-Pacific Business Association.
Singapore, being a key city-state in Southeast Asia, serves as a strategic location for German companies to expand their business into the ASEAN region. Due to its membership in ASEAN, Singapore provides German companies with easy access to this vast market of over 600 million people.
Source: www.ntv.de
