CMR Singapore

Who knew that after separating for Malaysia, Singapore was going to become world’s one of the most important financial centers. Singapore seems to possess all the elements that are essential for making a country to be in the spotlight for the whole world. Be it natural beauty, economy, military, foreign reserves or tourism; you name it and Singapore has it in the best of form.

Its ethnic versatility and long immigration history has provided it all the different flavors of the world. Chinese, Malays, Indians, Asians of various origins and Caucasians mainly are the people that form its population. Whereas Europeans and Americans are here for business, and others who do not belong to these countries come here for exploration. So it means when you talk about Singaporean people, you are referring to all the various ethnicities of the world.

Singapore has a lot to offer to its visitors, it is filled with exotic locations and breathtaking views that are provided by natural parks, museums and the reminders of colonial era in the form of monuments and buildings.

When you enter Singapore, you find yourself overwhelmed by options that are going to make this tour a memorable one for you. From Sentosa Island to night safari and from shopping in Singapore to enjoying the diversity of Singaporean cuisine, everything deserves a shot and all these mesmerizing experiences definitely are going to win your heart!  Night life in Singapore is another charm for visitors and this makes this Island country among the top five countries that are considered to provide most telling night life.

These are the reasons that Singapore is world’s extremely popular travel destination and attracts millions of travelers each year and thus makes tourism a flourished industry for the country.

Singapore is among the Four Asian Tigers and has emerged as a growing economy at the speed of light! World Bank regarded Singapore as the third best country for doing business. The reasons that have made Singapore so much suitable for business are the corruption free environment and its strategic location.

The high skilled workforce of Singapore is so attractive that around 3,000 multinationals from all the giant countries are pouring business opportunities upon this country.  Singapore is now converting from a manufacturing to knowledge-based economy. The credit also goes to the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore for fetching such investors and planning the development of the country so adequately.

The citizens of Singapore enjoy the world’s best quality of life and enjoy a lifestyle offering technological advancements enveloped with natural beauty and peace of mind.

When it comes to being at the top of the business world, few corporations are fare better than Intelius, Inc. This company, which is led by its innovative CEO Naveen Jain is among the top world leaders in Internet security. This company was not only built on its sound business principles, and great products, but on its charitable means.

Intelius, Inc. was recently given the honor of being listed in the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the top 25 corporate philanthropists. This company, which products work to keeping individuals, as well as families safe,  has given over $1 million in different kinds of grants and other donations to organizations like United Way, Children’s Hospital, and other organizations that focus on developing youth, helping with homelessness, and providing food for those who have none. This is not something that Intelius, Inc. does just as a PR move. CEO Naveen Jain feels deeply that this commitment to the community is something that is a part of what his company is about.

As well as being listed as a corporate philanthropist, Intelius, Inc. also won an award that was given in honor of its IDWatch software that helps to protect from identity theft. As computer hackers continue to pry in unsuspecting computer owners, they continue to develop sophisticated lurking software. However, Intelius programmers continue to update their products in order to keep it secure and safe. The IDWatch software is one such product and given the prestigious WSA Industry Achievement Awards Consumer Product of the Year Award.

With a deep commitment across the entire company to not only produce quality products, but also in being watchful in the community, Naveen Jain is leading the way in a new kind of corporation. This corporation is not only out for profits, but for making sure that the community around them is taken care of, people have hope, and needs are met. This demands a great deal of sacrifice on the parts of the corporation, but it is something that is helping the needs of the community in education, health, and housing of the people in Washington. As other companies begin to see what a difference it is making, they are also developing top quality philanthropist identities themselves.

If you are importing products to Singapore then you will have to know about their regulations regarding imports. With paying taxes then you will find that Singapore is one of the free economies of the world and a lot of the good and services will be allowed to imported into Singapore duty free.

You may still have to pay tax which is 7%  on the cost of insurance freight only. The exceptions to this are any tobacco or any alcohol and motor vehicles. The strangest thing is that chewing gum is not allowed to be imported into Singapore and this is because it is only allowed to be used for any dental needs nothing more.

It is also illegal to import any articles that could be considered as obscene or any videoa or any sort of   software. Also no imitation tobacco products and of course, no illegal substances or any drugs. It goes without saying that endangered species of wildlife are not allowed and neither is any local brewed beer or stout that has ‘Brewed for Export’on it.

Singapore has been named as the fifth wealthiest country so if you want to do business with any company in Singapore then you need to brush up on their  import regulations. All imported cargo can and will  be inspected at certain point including checkpoints or airports and terminals.

If you are from the United States of America then you will be allowed to stay in Singapore for up to three months at a time without any Visa being required. You may need to obtain an IN permit though which you can obtain from Singapore’s Tradenet site.

Today, Singapore has a population of over 4.5 million and its top seven import partners generate over 60% of imports. These seven countries are United States, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and China.

Singapore pursues free trading and it already has seven free trade contracts in place. So as you can see, it you want to import to Singapore then you will have to go by the rules and regulations of this country. There are different training courses for importing into Singapore and if you want to know more about their Customs documentation and all the procedures, then I would advise that you go for the Customs Competency Programme for Businesses. This programme is meant to help any businesses with their competency in handling any customs matters that may arise. This programme  will give you an idea of what is involved in importing to this country.

When you rent a Singapore Office then you will realize that this has increased a lot over the years. The offices that you want to rent in Singapore are in very short supply now as many of the buildings are being used for residential use. There is a lot of incoming overseas companies that have moved to Singapore who have help make this into a higher rate now to have an office over there. Now it seems the rentals are getting higher and higher.
If you can find a space which is suitable, then it may take you some times as this is becoming more and more challenginging. You may need to have a  think about whether you want to move towards some high tech buildings or whether to go to a business rental park.Both have good and bad connected to them. The lack of space of the office rentals in Singapore is getting worse and a lot of the companies have had to move to the outskirts instead.

You now have to pay around twice the normal rent when its time to renew your lease. Up until recently you could enjoy paying at a lower rent and have a larger space but now it is the other way around, with you paying a larger rent and having a smaller office space. You may also have to think about lower your expectations along the way.

There are things called Shophouse Offices which are now a new type of choice for up and coming companies. These Shophouses are about half the usual space that you would normally get but with the right interior design and a bit of planning, then you can make these quite attractive. The most popular ones are Shophouse at Amoy Street, Tras Street and Telox Ayer Street. You don’t always have to compromise on the location though as business parks do not reside in the central part of Singapore. Now most of the businesses are either located at the west or east side of the island.

It all depends on what you want your business to be about in the end. Do you want to go for a high rental small business in a good location, or would you be happier with something in a bit more of a downmarket but with bigger space. The choice is yours in the end. Either way if you are prepared to compromise then you will more than likely find a way around this problem that will be suitable for your business.

Never forget that Singapore really is the business centre of the world and just by having a Singapore address on your stationery, you are putting yourself in front.

I have found that Singapore has a lot to offer. There are several minature islands and Sentosa Island is one of my favourites. Sentosa  seems to have been transformed into a very artistic and wealthy Island. There is an Integrated Resort that is being build on this Island which will be finished soon.

I have found that Singapore is a good place to travel to and there are numerous things that you can visit, such as downtown area Orchard Road which offers designer goods stores and a real taste of what Singapore offers you.  It has a multicultural atmosphere and they even have a McDonalds over there with a KFC if you are missing home!

There are beautiful little food stalls and the food is very tasty. The food tends to be quite cheap and if you go to the Hawker Centre you will find cheap food, but beware, as the sanitation is not too good so be careful where you choose to eat.  It is a good place if you like seafood and I would personally recommend the Clart Quay area where there are many restaurants with many types of fish.

If you are looking around for a boat trip then go down the Singapore River which is popular with tourists. There are attractions such as the Merlion which is a cross between a mermaid and a lion and it shoots out water. The public transport in Singapore is very inexpensive and the MRT is a subway system that goes around the whole of the island.

The buses have nice seats and air conditioning which you need as it gets quite hot out there, around 32 degrees centigrade on most days. Also you should try the taxis as they take you where you want when you want and this is a good and cheap way to travel in Singapore. I would recommend Singapore as it is a lovely and lively place to visit. It is a very beautiful and the people are very friendly and obliging. It is very good value and you can make your money go a long way.  You will get a warm welcome when you travel to Singapore. It is one of the most exotic and special places to travel to.

I have been to Singapore a few times and I must say that this is one of the most pleasurable cities in Asia. You are whisked away from the airport along shady trees lining the expressway or you can choose the MRT train line.

As you walk through Orchard Road, or look around the shops in Chinatown, then you realise that this is indeed a beautiful country. The food is out of this world as there are so many spices and different tastes of Asia. Tiger beer is a popular drink  and there are the most stylish restaurants of the world here in Singapore.

There are lots of boutiques if you want to shop and  bargains everything ranging from electronics to clothes and antiques. However if you want something a little bit more sporty then try diving with Sharks in Sentosa at the Underwater World. Or you could try doing some mountain biking or waterskiing. There is something for everyone in Singapore.

It is a lively place and is very unique and once you have travelled here you will more than likely want to go again and again. The travel is good and they do long distance buses that will go to Melaka or the Golden Mile Complex. The best way I have found is to travel by taxi though.

You can try the Eastern and Oriental Express that runs between Bangkok and Singapore and then goes onto Chiang Mai and Nong Khai. This will take around 42 hours for the journey but you will rest in style and be treated like a king.

Changi airport is voted the world’s best airport and is a vast and very efficiently run airport. You will find free Internet there and courtesy calls for local places. Seletar airport is smaller but is modern and you may want to go there to catch Berjaya Airways flights to Tiomin Island.

The travelling in Singapore is very good and very reasonable. But if you want to have a good look around then I would recommend a taxi, as you also get a tour guide at the same time who knows where the best places to stay are and the best places to visit and of course, the places to avoid!

When you are in Singapore and you want to do some business, it is important that you are knowledgeable about their culture and regulations. If you follow a proper business etiquette then these people will respect you since this means that you have shown them respect also.

When you meet someone in Singapore you should always shake their hand. Don’t do a firm handshake as you would in the western world. You should always wait for someone to introduce themselves to you instead of the other way around.

You can exchange business cards with people as long as you are introduced to them first. If you are given a business card then it is polite to read it first before putting it away and don’t put it away until the end of the meeting as it should be placed in front of you on the table for the whole duration and also remember to keep your cards in very good condition and don’t give someone a card that looks like it has seen better days.

Always arrive on time if you have any business meetings as if you are late, it is considered rude manners. Always wear your best suit as this reflects on your status. If you are a women, don’t wear anything revealing.

When you do business in Singapore you should bring a gift and this should be given to everyone that is in the meeting. Then gifts are opened straight away and you always should do the same if you are given a gift.  The only exception to this rule is if it is a government employee as this could be reflected as bribery.

Some people in Singapore may ask quite personal questions and this is because they don’t realise that this could be intrusive to the western society. If this happens then just change the subject if you don’t want to answer the question. Also be careful of your body language as it is considered rude to stare at people. So keep any eye contact brief.

If you stick to the above when you are doing business then things should go smoothly and you should be liked and respected. Singaporeans are usually softly spoken and calm and do not like aggressive people so always be polite at all times.

Most visitors agree that shopping is one of the main attractions in Singapore – people come from all over the world just to visit the city’s malls. These malls make the city a shopper’s paradise and no trip to the Garden City would be complete without a lot of mall crawling.

Shopping Malls around Singapore – Riverside Malls

The city’s heart in the historic Riverside district boasts a few interesting malls. Raffles City at the City Hall MRT station features Jason’s Supermarket which is renowned for gourmet food. The Funan DigitalLife Mall is considered the best place to buy electronics in Singapore. Peninsula Plaza is famed for its specialty camera stores. The Arcade boasts a lot of small family owned shops that can’t be found anywhere else.

Orchard Road

Singapore’s Orchard Road is one of the world’s greatest shopping centers and may contain the largest concentration of covered shopping areas on the planet. Even if you don’t like to shop visits to a few of these palaces of consumerism are loads of fun.

Far East Plaza is the main hangout for Singapore’s teenagers. It’s also a rare place where shoppers can find bargains particularly in clothing in Orchard Road.

Wheelock Place has a giant Borders bookstore, and lots of restaurants.

ION Orchard is Singapore’s newest shopping mall and one of it’s largest. Its eight stories high and crammed with shops ranging from expensive European chic to Tokyo style. This is one of the few places outside Japan where you can find Japanese retailers. There’s also a huge food court reminiscent of those in American Malls.

Wisma Atria is filled with designer boutiques and international brands. It’s quite pricey although Fashionistas will probably have a good time. Male shoppers might not.

The Lucky Plaza is something of a Singapore legend, the camera and electronic shops on the first floor are notorious for rip offs and poor customer service. Avoid these and head to the upper floors where there are lots of bargains to be had. This is the best place to buy souvenirs, perfumes and cosmetics. Women visitors will enjoy all the salons which are some of the cheapest and best places to have hair and nails done and to get a leg wax in town.

Another must see is the Ngee Ann City/Takashimaya Shopping Centre known as a hangout for the city’s rich women. It features an odd mix of high fashion and Southeast Asia’s largest bookstore.

Although Singapore has a reputation as a squeaky clean and glitzy modern city traces of its colonial past remain in Riverside. Riverside is the heart of Singapore both the financial district and the heart of the city’s nightlife are located here.

History buffs will definitely want to see Raffles Square and the Victoria Theater, the spot where Singapore’s founder Stamford Raffles landed to start the city. A statue of Raffles still stands here, interestingly enough the statue in the square is a replica of one in front of the Victoria Theater. Built in the 19^th Century the Victoria is one of the few remaining monuments from the colonial era left.

Located nearby is the Merlion, another statue that is Singapore’s symbol. The view of the traditional Chinese statue and the shining towers of the Central Business District are well worth the trip.

Things to Do in Riverside

One of the best fun afternoons in Singapore is to take the River Cruise. Stations for the cruise boats are located along the river and the trip itself is cheap with tickets starting at $3.

Another really fun attraction in the area is the Mint Museum of Toys – this building houses 50,000 different toys from all over the country. Originally a private collection the playthings are now available for children of all ages to look at.

The best thing to do in Riverside is probably to go out to eat. There are lots of restaurants featuring Malay, Chinese, Japanese and other cuisines. Prices range from budget to expensive with some world class eateries in the area.

There are also quite a few bars in the area including the Long Bar where the Singapore Sling was invented. There are lots of other bars around the river which is still the center of Singapore’s nightlife.

Riverside by Foot

If you’re on a business trip in Singapore, and get the day off a walk around Riverside is a lot of fun. Singapore is a very pedestrian friendly city and the MRT transit system can get you to Riverside from any other area of the city.

Combining a trip around Riverside with a shopping trip is an excellent idea. There are several large shopping malls in the area including the Arcade and Raffles City.

No visit to Singapore is complete without a trip to Orchard Road which is one of the world’s premiere shopping venues. The Road features several magnificent malls that offer European fashion, Tokyo style and quite a few bargains. Fortunately for non-shoppers there are some other interesting attractions on Orchard Road.

Historical Attractions on Orchard Road

The oddly named Battle Box at Fort Canning Park was the headquarters of the British Army in Singapore before and during World War II. A number of displays and exhibits recount Singapore’s capture by the Japanese in 1942.

The National Museum of Singapore contains many displays and exhibits about the nation’s history. It has some interesting living history galleries and some cafes and restaurants. The Istana is the modern name for the Government House, the seat of British colonial rule. It is now the residence of the President of Singapore. The building itself is only open a few days a year but the grounds are open to the public.

Shopping on Orchard Road

The big attraction on Orchard Road is the malls, whether you’re on vacation or taking a day off from the business they’re well worth the trip. These malls are much larger and far more elaborate than anything Americans are used to so you don’t have to shop to have a good time.

A good place to people watch and see how the rich live is the Ngee Ann City also called the Takashimaya Shopping Centre. This is where the Tai-tais or wealthy socialites hang out. It also features Southeast Asia’s largest bookstore and lots of expensive shopping.

The nearby Orchard Central has twelve floors of shopping with the top five floors devoted to food. This is a great place to eat with Korean barbecue and Japanese food featured.

Another great place to people watch is the Far East Plaza which is the favorite hangout for Singapore’s teenagers. The Far East is one of the few places on Orchard Road where you can pick up bargains. It has really good prices on stylish clothing.

Paragon and the gigantic ION Orchard are known as places to buy designer fashion. Paragon concentrates on expensive European brands while the ION Orchard is more focused on Japanese brands.