Singapore Business Forecast Q1 2007

Content

• Chapter 1: Political Outlook
  • Core Scenario
  • SWOT Analysis
  • BMI Political Risk Ratings
  • Domestic Politics
  • Defiant Government Wants Tighter Grip
  • Singapore's government is attempting to plug the hole that the internet has driven in its watertight control
  • over political discussion with revised laws that give it greater power to prosecute internet users Further,
  • amendments will make it easier to act against public gatherings, a move which flies in the face of recent
  • international criticism While this will further ensure short-term political stability, it threatens long-term stability
  • Table: Singapore Cabinet (November 06)
  • Foreign Relations
  • Perfect Partners
  • Singapore and China's markets complement each other well, making a free trade agreement beneficial to
  • both China's large domestic market offers lucrative opportunities to Singapore's exporters, while China
  • will benefit from increased Singaporean direct investment, and the role that Singapore will play in driving
  • forward the progress towards a China-ASEAN FTA
• Chapter 2: Economic Outlook
  • Core Scenario
  • SWOT Analysis
  • BMI Economic Risk Ratings
  • Introduction
  • Economic Activity
  • Economy Demonstrating Resilience
  • Singapore has become less vulnerable to fluctuations in US and electronics demand over the past years,
  • which should ensure it maintains a reasonable, although slower, growth rate in 2007, of 45%
  • Table: GDP, Output & Population
  • Monetary Policy
  • No Need For Adjustment
  • The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) left its monetary policy stance unchanged at its October 10
  • meeting Inflationary pressures have been brought under control, meaning there is little need for tightening,
  • while there is ample room for depreciation within the existing exchange rate policy band should growth
  • become a concern
  • Table: Exchange Rates
  • Foreign Direct Investment
  • External Orientation Extends To Investment
  • Singapore's government views entry by foreign multinationals as a major source of employment creation
  • and technological advancement Together with a strong business environment, accommodating government
  • policy has ensured Singapore of healthy FDI inflows We expect this to continue Meanwhile, outflows of
  • investment will become an increasing feature of Singapore's strategy
• Chapter 3: Special Report
  • BMI Sovereign Risk Ratings
  • What And Where Are The Risks?
  • Table: BMI Sovereign RIsk Ratings
  • Asia
  • Rising Political Risks A Constraint
  • Table: Asia Sovereign Ratings - Evolution of Ability to Pay
  • Table: Asia Sovereign Ratings - Evolution of Willingness to Pay
  • BMI Sovereign Ratings Index Methodology
• Chapter 4: Special Report
  • Core Scenario
  • SWOT Analysis
  • BMI Business Environment Risk Ratings
  • Legal Issues
  • Legal Framework
  • Labour Force
  • Size
  • Table: Demographic Indicators (2005)
  • Table: Employment Indicators
  • Foreign Investment Policy
  • Overview
  • Table: Singapore Annual FDI Inflows
  • Table: Asia, Annual FDI Inflows
  • Foreign Trade Regime
  • Overview
  • Table: Top Export Destinations, US$mn
  • Tax Regime
  • Overview
• Chapter 5: Key Sectors
  • Autos
  • Market Overview
  • Table: Singapore Automotive Sector - Historical Data & Forecasts
  • Information Technology
  • Market Overview
  • Table: Singapore IT Sector Historical Data & Forecasts