Australian innovation finds a hothouse in Singapore

AUSTRALIA and Singapore have forged one of the closest and most comprehensive bilateral relationships in the region thanks to long-standing diplomatic and trade relations, and a similar strategic outlook. As the country's largest trade and investment partner in Asean, Singapore has also evolved into a strategic focus for Australia's presence in the region.

Singapore has steadily positioned itself as the region's top startup ecosystems - the country is home to more than 5,000 tech startups; and in 2018, there were a recorded 189 deals amounting to a total of US$7.5 billion. It is no surprise that Singapore has become the go-to hub for many international startups, especially Australian ones.

The country's proximity to Australia and position as a gateway to South-east Asia has consistently attracted Australian businesses, offering them the perfect stepping stone to enter regional markets and scale exponentially. Singapore's pro-business environment is also a plus.