with Singapore - US Chamber of Commerce

ABOUT SINGAPOREWith a world-class infrastructure,well-educated workforce,and pro-business outlook,Singapore is an excellent place to dobusiness. Singapore is slightly morethan 3.5 times the size of Washington,D.C. and is America’s 11th largest tradingpartner and export market. Shipments fromthe U.S. totaled $17.7 billion in 2001,while U.S. imports from Singapore were$15 billion, giving the U.S. a trade surplusof $2.7 billion.Its geographical position makes Singapore a commercial hub and springboard to selling toneighboring Southeast Asian countries. The deepwater seaport is one of the busiest in the world.English is an official language and widely spoken, and per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) isequal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.Singapore has been an independent republic since 1965. The government’s positive businesspolicies offer investors a stable and supportive environment in which to grow.Demographics•Population: 4.01 million• Life expectancy: 78.4 years• Literacy: 93.2 %• GDP: $87 billion (2002 est)• GDP growth: 3.5 % (2003 est)GovernmentSingapore is a republic with a parliamentary system of government.• Head of State: President S. R. Nathan•Executive: Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, head of the Government.• Legislative: Unicameral 83-member parliament• Judicial: The Chief Justice is appointed by the President of the Republic withthe advice of the Prime Minister.4