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Doing business in Singapore can be unsettling especially if this is the first time you`re dealing with an Asian culture. Here, we have compiled some tips to help you on your trip: Singapore Commercial Information The following organisations can offer advice: Singapore Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry #03-01 Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building
Address: 47 Hill Street, Singapore 179365
Tel: (+65) 6338 9761
Fax: (+65) 6339 5630
E-mail: sfcci@singnet.com.sg Singapore International Chamber of Commerce #10-01 John Hancock Tower
Address: 6 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048580
Tel: (+65) 6224 1255
Fax: (+65) 6224 2785
E-mail: general@sicc.com.sg
Website: www.asianconnect.com/sicc Conferences/Conventions Singapore is the top convention city in Asia and ranks among the top ten meetings destinations in the world. There are many Singapore Serviced Apartments or Singapore Hotels with extensive conference facilities, including the latest audio-visual equipment, secretarial services, translation and simultaneous interpretation systems, whilst Raffles City, a brand new and completely self-contained convention city, can accommodate up to 6000 delegates under one roof Full information on Singapore as a conference destination can be obtained from the Exhibition & Convention Bureau within the Singapore Tourism Board. The Bureau is a non-profitmaking organisation with the dual objectives of marketing Singapore as an international exhibition and convention city and of assisting with the planning and staging of individual events. Business Etiquette in Singapore 1. Be courteous and professional at all times - take the time to learn Asian courtesy as Western courtesy may have a contrary meaning in Singapore! 2. Business friendships are based on honor, integrity and good character - take pains to establish and maintain contacts as Singaporeans highly regard warm and personal relationships. 3. When making introductions for the first time, and in formal meetings, always use the person`s title and family or personal name. Since Singapore is a multi-racial society, it would help to bear in the mind the following: - The Chinese place their family names first, followed by the personal names. Women often keep their own family name.
- The Malays do not use a family name. They use their own personal name followed by bin (son of) or binti (daughter of) before their father`s personal name.
- The Indians use their personal name followed by s/o (son of) or d/o (daughter of) and the father`s personal name
The rule of thumb is never use personal names or nicknames unless invited to do so, or until a friendship has been established after a long time. 4. Don`t be offended if a Singaporean doesn`t look you in the eye in a meeting. The eyes are cast politely down or away as a sign of respect, especially if you are more senior or have a higher status. 5. Handshakes in Singapore are usually soft and light to the touch, unlike the bone-crushing one common to people from the West. As Asians generally do not have a long histo
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