country profile

Country Profile Singapore

Singapore
Capital City, Singapore

Singapore Weather

237.3 Billion
GDP in USD
4,657,542
Population
697
Area in km2
SG / 65
Country/Dial Code

Background:
 
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Visa Required: No 

Period/Purpose: Visa exempted for a stay of maximum 30 days.

Visa Fee: Yes 

Visa Issuing Authority:  

High Commission of Singapore
Physical address:  980 Schoeman Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083
Postal address:  P O Box 11809, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028 Tel:  (012) 430-6035 / 6498 / 7163 / 7505 Fax:  (012) 342-4425 

Compulsory Vaccination Requirement: Yellow Fever if coming from / stopping over in an endemic area

Recommended Vaccination Requirement: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Polio & Malaria Prophylaxis

Background:
 
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Country name:
 
conventional long form: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
local long form: Republic of Singapore
local short form: Singapore
 

Government type:

parliamentary republic
 

Capital:

name: Singapore
geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
 

Administrative divisions:

none
 

Independence:

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
 

National holiday:

National Day, 9 August (1965)
 

Constitution:

several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965; amended several times, last in 2010 (2013)
 

Legal system:

English common law
 

International law organization participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
 

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal and compulsory
 

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 September 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers TEO Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and Tharman SHANMUGARATNAM (since 21 May 2011)
cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; election last held on 27 August 2011 (next to be held by August 2017); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president
election results: Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president from a field of four candidates with 35.2% of the votes cast
 

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (87 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members (NMP) and up to nine Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP); traditionally, members of parties that came closest to winning seats may be appointed as NCMPs; NMPs are appointed by the president to ensure that a wide range of community views are present in Parliament; NMPs are independent and non-partisan members
elections: last held on 7 May 2011 (next to be held by 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 60.1%, WP 12.8%, NSP 12.1%, others 15%; seats by party - PAP 81, WP 6; (seats as of February 2013 PAP 80, WP 7)
 

Judicial branch:

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the president or chief justice and 16 justices and organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court)
judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; justices appointed for life
subordinate courts: district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals
 

Political parties and leaders:

National Solidarity Party or NSP [Jeannette CHONG-ARULDROSS]
People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]
Reform Party [Kenneth JEYARETNAM]
Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [Desmond LIM] (includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP [Desmond LIM] and Singapore National Malay Organization/Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura or PKMS [Abu Bin MOHAMED])
Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]
Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong]
Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang]
 

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none
 

International organization participation:

ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
 

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI (since 24 July 2012)
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
 

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Kirk WAGER (since 4 September 2013)
embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001
telephone: [65] 6476-9100
FAX: [65] 6476-9340
 

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality
 

National symbol(s):

lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid
 

National anthem:

name: 'Majulah Singapura' (Onward Singapore)


lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said
note: adopted 1965; the anthem, which was first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, is sung only in Malay

Location:
 
Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
 

Geographic coordinates:

1 22 N, 103 48 E
 

Map references:

Southeast Asia
 

Area:

total: 697 sq km
country comparison to the world: 192
land: 687 sq km
water: 10 sq km
 

Area - comparative:

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
 

Land boundaries:

0 km
 

Coastline:

193 km
 

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
 

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
 

Terrain:

lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
 

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
 

Natural resources:

fish, deepwater ports
 

Land use:

arable land: 0.89%
permanent crops: 0.14%
other: 98.97% (2011)
 

Irrigated land:

NA
 

Total renewable water resources:

0.6 cu km (2011)
 

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.19 cu km/yr (47%/53%/0%)
per capita: 81.97 cu m/yr (2005)
 

Natural hazards:

NA
 

Environment - current issues:

industrial pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
 

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
 

Geography - note:

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

Nationality:
 
noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective: Singapore
 

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 74.2%, Malay 13.3%, Indian 9.2%, other 3.3% (2013 est.)
 

Languages:

Mandarin (official) 36.3%, English (official) 29.8%, Malay (official) 11.9%, Hokkien 8.1%, Tamil (official) 4.4%, Cantonese 4.1%, Teochew 3.2%, other Indian languages 1.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.1%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)
 

Religions:

Buddhist 33.9%, Muslim 14.3%, Taoist 11.3%, Catholic 7.1%, Hindu 5.2%, other Christian 11%, other 0.7%, none 16.4% (2010 est.)
 

Population:

5,567,301 (July 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
 

Age structure:

0-14 years: 13.4% (male 381,452/female 364,050)
15-24 years: 17.8% (male 487,593/female 502,637)
25-54 years: 50.3% (male 1,365,872/female 1,434,495)
55-64 years: 10% (male 279,243/female 278,852)
65 years and over: 8.1% (male 214,665/female 258,442) (2014 est.)
population pyramid:  
 

Dependency ratios:

total dependency ratio: 35.8 %
youth dependency ratio: 21.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 14.5 %
potential support ratio: 6.9 (2014 est.)
 

Median age:

total: 33.8 years
male: 33.7 years
female: 33.9 years (2014 est.)
 

Population growth rate:

1.92% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
 

Birth rate:

8.1 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
 

Death rate:

3.42 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
 

Net migration rate:

14.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
 

Urbanization:

urban population: 100% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
 

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
 

Mother's mean age at first birth:

29.8 (2010 est.)
 

Maternal mortality rate:

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 182
 

Infant mortality rate:

total: 2.53 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 220
male: 2.69 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
 

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 84.38 years
country comparison to the world: 4
male: 81.86 years
female: 87.07 years (2014 est.)
 

Total fertility rate:

0.8 children born/woman (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224
 

Health expenditures:

4.6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 150
 

Physicians density:

1.92 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
 

Hospital bed density:

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)
 

Drinking water source:

improved: 
urban: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: 
urban: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)
 

Sanitation facility access:

improved: 
urban: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: 
urban: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)
 

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
 

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
 

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
 

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

7.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 142
 

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:

3.3% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 109
 

Education expenditures:

3% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 140
 

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.9%
male: 98%
female: 93.8% (2010 est.)
 

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total: 6.7% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 131

Economic Overview

Source: CIA World Fact Book


Economy - overview:
 
Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing financial services sector. The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but rebounded 15.1% in 2010, on the strength of renewed exports, before slowing to in 2011-13, largely a result of soft demand for exports during the second European recession. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that focuses on raising productivity. Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub.
 

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$339 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$323 billion (2012 est.)
$313.3 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
 

GDP (official exchange rate):

$295.7 billion (2013 est.)
 

GDP - real growth rate:

4.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
1.9% (2012 est.)
6% (2011 est.)
 

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$62,400 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
$60,800 (2012 est.)
$60,400 (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
 

Gross national saving:

44.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
44.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
47.4% of GDP (2011 est.)
 

GDP - composition, by end use:

household consumption: 38.4%
government consumption: 10.3%
investment in fixed capital: 23.1%
investment in inventories: 3.1%
exports of goods and services: 195.8%
imports of goods and services: -170.7%
(2013 est.)
 

GDP - composition, by sector of origin:

agriculture: 0%
industry: 29.4%
services: 70.6% (2013 est.)
 

Agriculture - products:

orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
 

Industries:

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade
 

Industrial production growth rate:

1.7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
 

Labor force:

3.444 million
country comparison to the world: 99
note: excludes non-residents (2013 est.)
 

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 1.3%
industry: 18.6%
services: 80.1%
note: excludes non-residents (2013)
 

Unemployment rate:

1.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
2% (2012 est.)
 

Population below poverty line:

NA%
 

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 4.4%
highest 10%: 23.2% (2008)
 

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

46.3 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 32
47.8 (2012)
 

Budget:

revenues: $45.67 billion
expenditures: $41.83 billion
note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2013 est.)
 

Taxes and other revenues:

15.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
 

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):

1.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
 

Public debt:

105.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
108.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
note: Singapore's public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore's defined contribution pension fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore has no external public debt
 

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March
 

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
4.6% (2013 est.)
 

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

5.38% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
5.38% (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of narrow money:

$123.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$112.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of broad money:

$519.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$493 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of domestic credit:

$465.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$417.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$718.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
$709.4 billion (31 December 2012)
$569.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
 

Current account balance:

$54.4 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
$49.38 billion (2012 est.)
 

Exports:

$410.3 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$408.4 billion (2012 est.)
 

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products, food and beverages
 

Exports - partners:

Malaysia 12.3%, Hong Kong 10.9%, China 10.8%, Indonesia 10.6%, US 5.5%, Japan 4.6%, Australia 4.2%, South Korea 4% (2012)
 

Imports:

$373 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$379.7 billion (2012 est.)
 

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
 

Imports - partners:

Malaysia 10.6%, China 10.3%, US 10.2%, South Korea 6.8%, Japan 6.2%, Indonesia 5.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.5%, UAE 4.1% (2012)
 

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$273.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
$259.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Debt - external:

$1.174 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$1.088 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)
 

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$585.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$535.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
 

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$367.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
$355.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
 

Exchange rates:

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -
1.25 (2013 est.)
1.2497 (2012 est.)
1.3635 (2010 est.)
1.4545 (2009)
1.415 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use:

 
1.99 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 58
 

Telephones - mobile cellular:

8.063 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 92
 

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent service
domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity more than 180 telephones per 100 persons; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity and the government is close to completing an island-wide roll out of a high-speed fiber-optic broadband network
international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2011)
 

Broadcast media:

state controls broadcast media; 8 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp which is wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV service available; a total of 18 domestic radio stations broadcasting with MediaCorp operating more than a dozen and another 4 stations are closely linked to the ruling party or controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association; many Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available
 

Internet country code:

.sg
Internet hosts:

1.96 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 39
 

Internet users:

3.235 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 65

Airports:
 
9 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 158
 

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
 

Pipelines:

gas 122 km; refined products 8 km (2013)
 

Roadways:

total: 3,425 km
country comparison to the world: 163
paved: 3,425 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2012)
 

Merchant marine:

total: 1,599
country comparison to the world: 6
by type: bulk carrier 247, cargo 109, carrier 6, chemical tanker 256, container 339, liquefied gas 131, petroleum tanker 436, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 57
foreign-owned: 966 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 25, Brazil 9, Chile 6, China 29, Cyprus 6, Denmark 149, France 3, Germany 32, Greece 22, Hong Kong 46, India 21, Indonesia 60, Italy 5, Japan 164, Malaysia 27, Netherlands 1, Norway 153, Russia 2, South Africa 13, South Korea 3, Sweden 11, Switzerland 3, Taiwan 77, Thailand 33, UAE 10, UK 6, US 36)
registered in other countries: 344 (Australia 2, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 7, Belize 4, Cambodia 3, Cyprus 1, France 3, Honduras 11, Hong Kong 13, Indonesia 46, Italy 1, Kiribati 9, Liberia 22, Malaysia 13, Maldives 4, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 30, Mongolia 3, North Korea 1, Panama 92, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 10, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Sierra Leone 9, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 19, US 16, Vanuatu 2, unknown 5) (2010)
 

Ports and terminals:

major seaport(s): Singapore
major container port(s) (TEUs): Singapore
 

Transportation - note:

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift

Electricity - production:
 
47.95 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
 

Electricity - consumption:

43.23 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
 

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
 

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
 

Electricity - installed generating capacity:

10.25 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
 

Electricity - from fossil fuels:

99.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
 

Electricity - from nuclear fuels:

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
 

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
 

Electricity - from other renewable sources:

0.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
 

Crude oil - production:

20,170 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
 

Crude oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
 

Crude oil - imports:

1.137 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
 

Crude oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
 

Refined petroleum products - production:

1.357 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
 

Refined petroleum products - consumption:

1.38 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
 

Refined petroleum products - exports:

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
 

Refined petroleum products - imports:

1.36 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
 

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
 

Natural gas - consumption:

8.778 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
 

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
 

Natural gas - imports:

8.78 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
 

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
 

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:

212.4 million Mt (2011 est.)

Realistic Export Opportunies

Source: TRADE Decision Support Model


A total of 297 Realistic Export Opportunities (REOs) from South Africa to Singapore are identified based on the North-West University’s (South Africa) TRADE Decision Support Model (DSM).

The methodology is a very useful instrument to identify market opportunities globally for one’s product and also provides a good reference for one to be able to prioritise marketing efforts based on the value and size of these opportunities.

The TRADE-DSM Navigator provides sound information that companies are able to use in developing their export marketing strategy and forms the basis and guidance for further research should this be required.

In total 297 of the products associated with import demand are identified as realistic export opportunities. The relative 'untapped' potential of the market opportunity is shown in the chart below:



A total 'untapped' potential from South Africa's perspective of approximately 3.22 (in million US dollar terms) based on the average value of the top 6 supplying countries (excluding South Africa) are associated with these specific product export opportunities.

The highest number of identified opportunities are associated with the economic sector of

Food (301-304) .

Not all sectors will be present, as not all economic sectors (some of which are based on economic activity while the REOs are based on traded products) are relevant for all products. However, various other sectors also do exhibit potential.

While the above examples are based on high level economic sectors, the information is available at a much more granular level on the HS 6-digit tariff code level. To demonstrate the following example of a product description is provided:

HS CHAPTER 84:
NUCLEAR REACTORS, BOILERS, MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL APPLIANCES; PARTS THEREOF
Sub-heading 84.27:
Fork-lift trucks; other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment:
HS 6-digit product code 8427.10:
Self-propelled trucks powered by an electric motor.

Research reports containing more detailed information related to these realistic export opportunities (down to product level as illustrated with the above product description) for each country are available from TIKZN.

Please contact us if you are interested in more detail by clicking here.

For an example of a more detailed country report please click here.

Please note that a more up-to-date version for the specific country report used in this example is available from TIKZN. This report is provided for demonstration purposes only and should not be used for any decision-making.

For more in-depth research you can also contact our NWU knowledge partners at
TRADE Research Advisory.


Trade Leads

Source: DTI Trade Lead Bulletins


Ref Date Received Officials Details Nature of Enquiry
Ref Date Received Officials Details Nature of Enquiry
# Description Chapter Amount in Rands
1 Total Trade 00 R 705,558,299.00
2 Ores, slag and ash 26 R 341,095,733.00
3 Essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, toileteries 33 R 93,697,211.00
4 Pharmaceutical products 30 R 52,129,310.00
5 Aluminium and articles thereof 76 R 41,947,943.00
6 Iron and steel 72 R 38,821,488.00
7 Miscellaneous chemical products 38 R 25,074,376.00
8 Vehicles other than railway, tramway 87 R 18,835,231.00
9 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, etc 84 R 16,521,690.00
10 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic invertebrates nes 03 R 12,601,744.00
11 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 41 R 8,699,681.00
12 Organic chemicals 29 R 6,952,210.00
13 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 22 R 5,822,197.00
14 Railway, tramway locomotives, rolling stock, equipment 86 R 5,209,025.00
15 Copper and articles thereof 74 R 4,355,251.00
16 Footwear, gaiters and the like, parts thereof 64 R 4,115,147.00
17 Electrical, electronic equipment 85 R 3,636,512.00
18 Tools, implements, cutlery, etc of base metal 82 R 3,098,345.00
19 Articles of iron or steel 73 R 2,820,714.00
20 Tanning, dyeing extracts, tannins, derivs,pigments etc 32 R 2,430,377.00
21 Plastics and articles thereof 39 R 2,379,923.00
22 Edible fruit, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons 08 R 2,260,779.00
23 Miscellaneous edible preparations 21 R 2,190,556.00
24 Rubber and articles thereof 40 R 1,663,186.00
25 Inorganic chemicals, precious metal compound, isotopes 28 R 1,596,508.00
26 Residues, wastes of food industry, animal fodder 23 R 1,416,741.00
27 Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc 27 R 1,192,167.00
28 Cereal, flour, starch, milk preparations and products 19 R 931,559.00
29 Soaps, lubricants, waxes, candles, modelling pastes 34 R 923,332.00
30 Optical, photo, technical, medical, etc apparatus 90 R 788,191.00
31 Paper & paperboard, articles of pulp, paper and board 48 R 751,269.00
32 Printed books, newspapers, pictures etc 49 R 522,124.00
33 Glass and glassware 70 R 198,475.00
34 Furniture, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings 94 R 145,633.00
35 Live trees, plants, bulbs, roots, cut flowers etc 06 R 116,524.00
36 Works of art, collectors pieces and antiques 97 R 112,763.00
37 Carpets and other textile floor coverings 57 R 97,971.00
38 Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, etc articles 68 R 88,234.00
39 Other base metals, cermets, articles thereof 81 R 84,648.00
40 Other made textile articles, sets, worn clothing etc 63 R 65,088.00
41 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 07 R 33,120.00
42 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 18 R 32,750.00
43 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 83 R 25,567.00
44 Sugars and sugar confectionery 17 R 21,252.00
45 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof 88 R 18,826.00
46 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 96 R 15,670.00
47 Articles of apparel, accessories, knit or crochet 61 R 14,197.00
48 Toys, games, sports requisites 95 R 2,719.00
49 Lac, gums, resins, vegetable saps and extracts nes 13 R 2,138.00
50 Impregnated, coated or laminated textile fabric 59 R 1,655.00
51 Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins, etc 71 R 550.00
# Description Chapter Amount
# Description Chapter Amount in Rands
1 Total Trade 00 R 338,858,564.00
2 Ores, slag and ash 26 R 60,380,869.00
3 Aluminium and articles thereof 76 R 51,164,220.00
4 Essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, toileteries 33 R 48,385,976.00
5 Pharmaceutical products 30 R 47,823,100.00
6 Miscellaneous chemical products 38 R 33,469,137.00
7 Electrical, electronic equipment 85 R 13,152,421.00
8 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, etc 84 R 8,097,217.00
9 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic invertebrates nes 03 R 7,252,557.00
10 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 22 R 7,163,084.00
11 Iron and steel 72 R 6,905,039.00
12 Edible fruit, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons 08 R 5,214,942.00
13 Vehicles other than railway, tramway 87 R 5,135,144.00
14 Footwear, gaiters and the like, parts thereof 64 R 4,710,158.00
15 Rubber and articles thereof 40 R 4,457,229.00
16 Articles of iron or steel 73 R 3,996,802.00
17 Optical, photo, technical, medical, etc apparatus 90 R 3,569,433.00
18 Tanning, dyeing extracts, tannins, derivs,pigments etc 32 R 3,503,900.00
19 Inorganic chemicals, precious metal compound, isotopes 28 R 2,986,639.00
20 Miscellaneous edible preparations 21 R 2,654,686.00
21 Organic chemicals 29 R 2,591,747.00
22 Tools, implements, cutlery, etc of base metal 82 R 2,438,736.00
23 Plastics and articles thereof 39 R 2,157,921.00
24 Soaps, lubricants, waxes, candles, modelling pastes 34 R 1,732,594.00
25 Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc 27 R 1,306,164.00
26 Cereal, flour, starch, milk preparations and products 19 R 1,155,455.00
27 Coffee, tea, mate and spices 09 R 1,135,192.00
28 Copper and articles thereof 74 R 1,076,559.00
29 Residues, wastes of food industry, animal fodder 23 R 740,164.00
30 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof 88 R 737,390.00
31 Paper & paperboard, articles of pulp, paper and board 48 R 679,818.00
32 Animal,vegetable fats and oils, cleavage products, etc 15 R 642,179.00
33 Pulp of wood, fibrous cellulosic material, waste etc 47 R 547,691.00
34 Dairy products, eggs, honey, edible animal product nes 04 R 293,201.00
35 Works of art, collectors pieces and antiques 97 R 281,501.00
36 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 07 R 233,087.00
37 Printed books, newspapers, pictures etc 49 R 180,021.00
38 Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins, etc 71 R 164,111.00
39 Live trees, plants, bulbs, roots, cut flowers etc 06 R 148,650.00
40 Toys, games, sports requisites 95 R 111,120.00
41 Furniture, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings 94 R 110,705.00
42 Glass and glassware 70 R 63,959.00
43 Sugars and sugar confectionery 17 R 62,125.00
44 Articles of apparel, accessories, knit or crochet 61 R 61,587.00
45 Vegetable, fruit, nut, etc food preparations 20 R 49,188.00
46 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 18 R 44,247.00
47 Other made textile articles, sets, worn clothing etc 63 R 28,729.00
48 Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, etc articles 68 R 17,084.00
49 Oil seed, oleagic fruits, grain, seed, fruit, etc, nes 12 R 15,012.00
50 Carpets and other textile floor coverings 57 R 9,108.00
51 Wadding, felt, nonwovens, yarns, twine, cordage, etc 56 R 7,783.00
52 Ships, boats and other floating structures 89 R 7,081.00
53 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 83 R 3,484.00
54 Wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal 44 R 2,000.00
55 Milling products, malt, starches, inulin, wheat gluten 11 R 538.00
56 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 96 R 50.00
57 Manmade filaments 54 R 30.00
# Description Chapter Amount
# Description Chapter Amount in Rands
1 Total Trade 00 R 326,627,451.00
2 Electrical, electronic equipment 85 R 89,199,237.00
3 Miscellaneous chemical products 38 R 31,759,357.00
4 Aluminium and articles thereof 76 R 21,262,191.00
5 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 22 R 20,610,248.00
6 Essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, toileteries 33 R 20,271,876.00
7 Pharmaceutical products 30 R 19,441,543.00
8 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, etc 84 R 17,467,074.00
9 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic invertebrates nes 03 R 16,456,365.00
10 Vehicles other than railway, tramway 87 R 16,035,206.00
11 Railway, tramway locomotives, rolling stock, equipment 86 R 10,771,611.00
12 Copper and articles thereof 74 R 8,771,850.00
13 Residues, wastes of food industry, animal fodder 23 R 6,156,445.00
14 Footwear, gaiters and the like, parts thereof 64 R 6,118,683.00
15 Other made textile articles, sets, worn clothing etc 63 R 5,345,510.00
16 Tools, implements, cutlery, etc of base metal 82 R 5,195,145.00
17 Tanning, dyeing extracts, tannins, derivs,pigments etc 32 R 4,763,504.00
18 Iron and steel 72 R 4,612,236.00
19 Plastics and articles thereof 39 R 3,331,443.00
20 Ores, slag and ash 26 R 2,882,288.00
21 Soaps, lubricants, waxes, candles, modelling pastes 34 R 1,893,136.00
22 Paper & paperboard, articles of pulp, paper and board 48 R 1,679,271.00
23 Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc 27 R 1,634,773.00
24 Inorganic chemicals, precious metal compound, isotopes 28 R 1,254,302.00
25 Dairy products, eggs, honey, edible animal product nes 04 R 1,230,469.00
26 Organic chemicals 29 R 1,050,588.00
27 Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, etc articles 68 R 1,009,799.00
28 Miscellaneous edible preparations 21 R 923,230.00
29 Edible fruit, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons 08 R 888,607.00
30 Coffee, tea, mate and spices 09 R 840,387.00
31 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof 88 R 737,992.00
32 Rubber and articles thereof 40 R 696,384.00
33 Cereal, flour, starch, milk preparations and products 19 R 456,398.00
34 Impregnated, coated or laminated textile fabric 59 R 425,878.00
35 Vegetable, fruit, nut, etc food preparations 20 R 379,088.00
36 Live trees, plants, bulbs, roots, cut flowers etc 06 R 317,000.00
37 Articles of iron or steel 73 R 281,554.00
38 Optical, photo, technical, medical, etc apparatus 90 R 128,532.00
39 Articles of apparel, accessories, knit or crochet 61 R 88,802.00
40 Works of art, collectors pieces and antiques 97 R 71,690.00
41 Sugars and sugar confectionery 17 R 49,595.00
42 Headgear and parts thereof 65 R 31,597.00
43 Printed books, newspapers, pictures etc 49 R 30,432.00
44 Furniture, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings 94 R 27,276.00
45 Glass and glassware 70 R 14,850.00
46 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 18 R 8,518.00
47 Ships, boats and other floating structures 89 R 6,000.00
48 Toys, games, sports requisites 95 R 4,750.00
49 Carpets and other textile floor coverings 57 R 3,853.00
50 Meat, fish and seafood food preparations nes 16 R 3,116.00
51 Salt, sulphur, earth, stone, plaster, lime and cement 25 R 2,658.00
52 Articles of leather, animal gut, harness, travel goods 42 R 1,560.00
53 Milling products, malt, starches, inulin, wheat gluten 11 R 1,165.00
54 Lac, gums, resins, vegetable saps and extracts nes 13 R 1,032.00
55 Meat and edible meat offal 02 R 594.00
56 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 07 R 387.00
57 Cereals 10 R 219.00
58 Cotton 52 R 157.00
# Description Chapter Amount
# Description Chapter Amount in Rands
1 Total Trade 00 R 262,635,671.00
2 Ores, slag and ash 26 R 71,911,927.00
3 Aluminium and articles thereof 76 R 34,380,849.00
4 Iron and steel 72 R 20,888,790.00
5 Miscellaneous chemical products 38 R 16,482,257.00
6 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 22 R 15,385,160.00
7 Vehicles other than railway, tramway 87 R 14,137,484.00
8 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, etc 84 R 11,054,418.00
9 Railway, tramway locomotives, rolling stock, equipment 86 R 10,452,196.00
10 Essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, toileteries 33 R 9,277,972.00
11 Electrical, electronic equipment 85 R 7,705,343.00
12 Pharmaceutical products 30 R 6,733,455.00
13 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic invertebrates nes 03 R 6,661,302.00
14 Footwear, gaiters and the like, parts thereof 64 R 6,581,099.00
15 Plastics and articles thereof 39 R 5,340,170.00
16 Residues, wastes of food industry, animal fodder 23 R 4,034,920.00
17 Edible fruit, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons 08 R 3,574,375.00
18 Organic chemicals 29 R 2,234,318.00
19 Rubber and articles thereof 40 R 1,366,796.00
20 Tanning, dyeing extracts, tannins, derivs,pigments etc 32 R 1,276,211.00
21 Optical, photo, technical, medical, etc apparatus 90 R 1,270,671.00
22 Soaps, lubricants, waxes, candles, modelling pastes 34 R 1,171,420.00
23 Tools, implements, cutlery, etc of base metal 82 R 1,132,286.00
24 Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc 27 R 1,082,307.00
25 Works of art, collectors pieces and antiques 97 R 1,063,683.00
26 Sugars and sugar confectionery 17 R 1,059,055.00
27 Inorganic chemicals, precious metal compound, isotopes 28 R 972,204.00
28 Articles of iron or steel 73 R 963,673.00
29 Miscellaneous edible preparations 21 R 889,114.00
30 Live trees, plants, bulbs, roots, cut flowers etc 06 R 703,175.00
31 Copper and articles thereof 74 R 460,000.00
32 Coffee, tea, mate and spices 09 R 397,303.00
33 Special woven or tufted fabric, lace, tapestry etc 58 R 272,809.00
34 Wadding, felt, nonwovens, yarns, twine, cordage, etc 56 R 248,955.00
35 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof 88 R 237,095.00
36 Paper & paperboard, articles of pulp, paper and board 48 R 170,046.00
37 Carpets and other textile floor coverings 57 R 148,838.00
38 Articles of leather, animal gut, harness, travel goods 42 R 142,707.00
39 Manmade filaments 54 R 136,604.00
40 Toys, games, sports requisites 95 R 130,755.00
41 Furniture, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings 94 R 99,118.00
42 Other made textile articles, sets, worn clothing etc 63 R 86,129.00
43 Wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal 44 R 81,450.00
44 Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, etc articles 68 R 73,733.00
45 Articles of apparel, accessories, not knit or crochet 62 R 50,709.00
46 Glass and glassware 70 R 42,934.00
47 Articles of apparel, accessories, knit or crochet 61 R 28,348.00
48 Printed books, newspapers, pictures etc 49 R 16,857.00
49 Cereal, flour, starch, milk preparations and products 19 R 12,735.00
50 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 83 R 5,256.00
51 Headgear and parts thereof 65 R 4,069.00
52 Ceramic products 69 R 2,290.00
53 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 96 R 198.00
54 Salt, sulphur, earth, stone, plaster, lime and cement 25 R 103.00
# Description Chapter Amount
# Description Chapter Amount in Rands
1 Total Trade 00 R 235,654,108.00
2 Aluminium and articles thereof 76 R 51,713,002.00
3 Ores, slag and ash 26 R 22,898,594.00
4 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 22 R 19,634,886.00
5 Electrical, electronic equipment 85 R 18,306,670.00
6 Iron and steel 72 R 17,796,854.00
7 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, etc 84 R 17,143,109.00
8 Optical, photo, technical, medical, etc apparatus 90 R 14,264,021.00
9 Essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, toileteries 33 R 12,097,922.00
10 Vehicles other than railway, tramway 87 R 11,258,157.00
11 Miscellaneous chemical products 38 R 10,316,662.00
12 Footwear, gaiters and the like, parts thereof 64 R 6,307,634.00
13 Articles of iron or steel 73 R 5,437,826.00
14 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 41 R 4,412,545.00
15 Edible fruit, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons 08 R 3,728,925.00
16 Plastics and articles thereof 39 R 3,606,000.00
17 Pharmaceutical products 30 R 2,380,814.00
18 Tanning, dyeing extracts, tannins, derivs,pigments etc 32 R 1,351,015.00
19 Inorganic chemicals, precious metal compound, isotopes 28 R 1,349,368.00
20 Organic chemicals 29 R 1,325,003.00
21 Rubber and articles thereof 40 R 1,303,529.00
22 Miscellaneous edible preparations 21 R 1,193,790.00
23 Tools, implements, cutlery, etc of base metal 82 R 1,001,295.00
24 Works of art, collectors pieces and antiques 97 R 926,506.00
25 Soaps, lubricants, waxes, candles, modelling pastes 34 R 796,644.00
26 Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc 27 R 600,041.00
27 Articles of leather, animal gut, harness, travel goods 42 R 560,627.00
28 Coffee, tea, mate and spices 09 R 528,927.00
29 Special woven or tufted fabric, lace, tapestry etc 58 R 518,012.00
30 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof 88 R 487,668.00
31 Sugars and sugar confectionery 17 R 314,402.00
32 Manmade filaments 54 R 311,871.00
33 Residues, wastes of food industry, animal fodder 23 R 278,070.00
34 Pulp of wood, fibrous cellulosic material, waste etc 47 R 274,363.00
35 Other made textile articles, sets, worn clothing etc 63 R 179,691.00
36 Cereal, flour, starch, milk preparations and products 19 R 168,336.00
37 Carpets and other textile floor coverings 57 R 154,204.00
38 Copper and articles thereof 74 R 150,000.00
39 Ships, boats and other floating structures 89 R 109,075.00
40 Toys, games, sports requisites 95 R 87,022.00
41 Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, etc articles 68 R 53,422.00
42 Vegetable, fruit, nut, etc food preparations 20 R 49,631.00
43 Printed books, newspapers, pictures etc 49 R 49,320.00
44 Wadding, felt, nonwovens, yarns, twine, cordage, etc 56 R 46,247.00
45 Glass and glassware 70 R 43,165.00
46 Other base metals, cermets, articles thereof 81 R 41,779.00
47 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 83 R 25,493.00
48 Furniture, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings 94 R 18,925.00
49 Silk 50 R 11,579.00
50 Articles of apparel, accessories, not knit or crochet 62 R 10,607.00
51 Paper & paperboard, articles of pulp, paper and board 48 R 7,825.00
52 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 18 R 7,754.00
53 Articles of apparel, accessories, knit or crochet 61 R 7,527.00
54 Explosives, pyrotechnics, matches, pyrophorics, etc 36 R 1,738.00
55 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 96 R 1,363.00
56 Cereals 10 R 902.00
57 Meat, fish and seafood food preparations nes 16 R 844.00
58 Ceramic products 69 R 788.00
59 Wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal 44 R 652.00
60 Dairy products, eggs, honey, edible animal product nes 04 R 545.00
61 Live animals 01 R 400.00
62 Salt, sulphur, earth, stone, plaster, lime and cement 25 R 221.00
63 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes 24 R 195.00
64 Impregnated, coated or laminated textile fabric 59 R 79.00
65 Albuminoids, modified starches, glues, enzymes 35 R 27.00
# Description Chapter Amount
Export and Import Statistics

Trade Blocs

Singapore belongs to the following Trade Blocs





Ports of entry and Airports

 

Airport Name City IATA Code
Changi Intl Singapore SIN
Paya Lebar Paya Lebar QPG
Seletar Singapore XSP
Sembawang Sembawang
Tengah Tengah
Airport Name City IATA Code



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