Comments on: 4th Year Running Singapore is Easiest Place to Do Business

By: gwendolynregina

gwendolynregina — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:01:54 +0000

Hey Stephen, you bring up an excellent point. One that is quite oxymoronic in fact, since it's a quantifiable aspect that might be tied to cultural and thus qualitative characteristics. I do agree that this point has an impact on business and that startups should be aware of the general accepted norms in that society/country as it could severely break their businesses if they expect one thing, and get another (a not so favourable) thing.

Just only proves what we already know, that there are too many variables involved in trying to assess which place is 'best' for doing business. While infrastructure does help, it can only go so far.

By: stephen cranston

stephen cranston — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:24:40 +0000

By the criteria above I am not surprised Singapore scores highly. Infrastructure is good and dealing with the government is pretty easy. It is not difficult to start a business in Singapore. However doing business in Singapore is not as easy as it looks. This is especially true if you are providing business services. There are a number of problems in dealing with Singapore companies but I'll give just one – they don't like to pay. Late or non-payment does not appear to be a criterion for this survey. It might sound odd but dealings with the government are more transparent and predictable than dealings with the private sector.

By: planetabroad

planetabroad — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:35:33 +0000

Well, frankly speaking I think the big question will be how strict the new changes are enforced and if they can be offset by a letter of recommendation or not.

If a letter of recommendation by MDA is not enough then in a worst case this could very well be the end of foreign entrepreneurs starting iJAM companies in Singapore (like myself with http://planetabroad.com).

To be honest, I don't really understand the reasoning behind the new policies. Whilst it makes sense to try and help the local population find jobs etc., I fail to see how I am taking away somebodies job here or wasting government funding (even though that obviously shouldn't have anything to do with the Entrepass but with the respective investment programs anyways).

But then of course, as a non-native I might not be getting the underlying issue here so feel free to educate me on this…

By: James

James — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:40:03 +0000

Admittedly I'm new to Singapore (US expat) and haven't set up a business here yet, but my impression so far is that the #1 ranking is a bit inflated. I've had too many difficulties with MoM to think that we're actually better than *every* other country ranked–if it's true, then that's indicative of a somewhat sad global state of affairs. Or I've just had very biased experiences.

In any case, extremely glad to be here!

By: gwendolynregina

gwendolynregina — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:24:47 +0000

Yeah, good question and one I myself asked too. We wouldn't know till next year's report though, as Doing Business 2010 only covered the period till May 2009. But I don't think it will make too much of an impact in that Singapore will probably be in the top 5 again, or at the very, very least, top 10.

By: kumarsg

kumarsg — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:18:38 +0000

What about the changes made on EntrePass policy? Will the rank still be sustained ? One newspaper mentioned that, EntrePass holders are already in difficulties by the new changes.