Singapore Business Etiquettes

8/8/2019 Singapore Business Etiquettes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/singapore-business-etiquettes 1/57





FACTS AND STATISTICS

CountryName Republic of Singapore

Population 4 million (growth rate 1.15%)

People 76% Chinese, 15% Malay, 6% Indian

Language English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil

Religion 31% Taoist,28% Buddhist,18% Muslim, 10% Christian,4%

Hindu

Government Parliamentary democracy

President: SR Nathan

Prime minister Lee Hsien Long

Major industries Shipping, banking, tourism, electrical & electronics,

chemicals, oil refining

Majort rading partners US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, JapanTime: GMT/UTC+8

Electricity: 220-240V, 50 Hz

County code: +65

Mobile Phone Networks GSM 900, GSM 1800, 3G

Weights & Measure Metric with local variations





























Wait until your host begins eating and invites you to start.

Wash and dry hands.

Eat using the fingers of their right hand. Forks and spoons may be used.

Alcohol is not consumed.

The guest of honor·s seating.

Use chopsticks & a porcelain spoon.

Chopsticks should be left on the chopstick rest.

Do not place debris in your rice bowl.







Very strict laws prohibit littering, jaywalking,

smoking, spitting, and chewing gum.

Failure to flush a toilet is against the law.

Family is central.

Loud voices and anger is degraded.

An outright ńoµ is considered disrespectful. Tipping is discouraged.

Service charge is usually included in the bill.





Reserved in nature.

Cover your mouth when yawning.

Don·t blow your nose or clear your throat in public. Minimize hand and body gestures when talking.

The left hand is reserved for personal hygiene.

Foot is also considered unclean.

Shoes must always be removed.

Do not point using your forefinger or two fingers.

Use the right hand.

Don·t put hands on hips.

An agreement by a side-to-side toss of their head.

Sucking in of air or a hissing sound made through

the teeth.

slightly bow.





Men will often wear dark trousers, a light-colored

long sleeved shirt and tie, without a jacket.

Women will wear either a light-colored blouse with askirt or a business suit

Jeans are acceptable for all.

Business dress is casual.

The traditional costume of the Chinese women is

the cheongsam.

The most popular costume of the Malay woman is

bajukurung and sarongkebaya.









Present your gift using both hands.

It is important to insist until they accept the gift.

Wrapping paper: Avoid white, black, and blue paper

and use red and gold.

Do not give:clocks, knives, green hats, blankets,

Handkerchiefs.



Present gifts using the right hand.

Wrapping paper: Green, red and yellow are good

colors to use.

Do not give liquor, pork items, or knives.

Do not give toy dogs or gifts that picture dogs.

Wrapping paper: Avoid white paper (associated with funerals) or yellow paper (reserved for royalty).







Singapore fosters an open and liberal trade policy.

Minimal import/export restrictions.

Extensive trade agreements.

Singapore ranked as #1 for business efficiency, #2 for

government efficiency, #5 for economic performance and

#11 for infrastructure.

The primary benefits of setting up a business in Singapore

include:

Ease of new Company Incorporation

Singapore Tax System: low tax rates, single-tier tax system,

territorial tax system.

Political Stability

Excellent Business Infrastructure

Efficient Regulatory System





Handshake with a nod of the head.

Singaporean Malay are often Muslim.

The traditional Malay greeting is the Salaam.

The traditional manner called a namaste (pronounced na-mas-tay).

Many Singaporean Indians are Hindu.





Family name followed by given name

Use professional title followed by a family name. Chinese have taken an English first name or use their

initials.

Most common surnames are Ćhangµ, ´Wangµ, ´Liµ, Ćhaoµ,

and ´Liuµ.

No family names.

A man is known by his given name(s) followed by bin (sonof) and his father·s name.

A woman is known by her given name(s) followed by binti

(daughter of) and her father·s name.







o Business is a matter of being tied into the propernetwork.

o Group-oriented culture.o Relationships take time to develop.

o Be patient.

o Be respectful and courteous when dealing.

o Rank is always respected.

o Most Singaporeans are soft-spoken.





Appointments are necessary

The most formal way to schedule a meeting is to writeto the person concerned.

Do not try to schedule meetings during Chinese NewYear (late January/early February).

Be punctual.

Encourage questions.

Never disagree or criticize someone who is senior toyou in rank.

Business entertaining over lunch or dinner is common.

You will rarely be invited to a Singaporean home for abusiness dinner.

Punctuality is a virtue.





Send a list of people who will be attending thenegotiation.

Slow pace.

A pause of up to 15 seconds before answering aquestion .

Tough negotiators on price and deadlines.

Decisions are consensus driven.

Avoid losing your temper .





Exchanged after the initial introductions.

Use both hands. Examine business cards carefully.

Treat business cards with respect .

Never give someone a tattered card.









China Square is located near China Street; near

South Bridge Road; 0.1 kilometer away from Cross

Street.

China square is geographically located North of the

Equator and East of the Prime Meridian on the Map

of Singapore. Address: 18, 20 & 22 Cross Street,

Marsh & McLennan Centre & China Square Central,

Singapore





CHINA SQUARE CENTRAL VIEWS







Saturday: 9.30 am to 1 PM (some banks are open until 3 PM).

Most banks handle travelers' cheques and change foreign

currencies.

Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in

Singapore. Should any shop insist on adding a surcharge,contact the respective card company to report the errant shop-

owner.

Visas: Most Western nationals either do not require a visa at allor do not require a visa for a social stay of up to 90 days. A 30-

day permit is issued on arrival, and extensions are difficult to

obtain.





World·s most competitive and prosperous

country.

Ideal political environment.

Competition is very fierce.

Should have a business plan.

EntrePass from Singapore·s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Ideal for entrepreneurship.

Preferences of technology.



Documents

Singapore Business Etiquettes