Australian Chamber of Commerce Singapore launches Access Asia online knowledge center

For Australians doing more business in Singapore.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce Singapore has launched an online knowledge centre called Access Asia to assist Australian business expand into the developing Asian regions.

AustCham President Mr Guy Scott says, “Our recent Business Survey confirmed Singapore as an important regional business hub for the Australian community; however access to skilled labour and work pass policy are key concerns. Our new online platform Access Asia gives Australian business the chance to network and share their knowledge about the highlights and challenges of doing business in Singapore and Asia.”

Access Asia is a collection of webcasts, articles and information pages that have been produced to give succinct insights into setting up and doing business in Singapore and Asia. This online resource was made possible through a grant from the Australian Government’s inaugural Asian Business Engagement plan.

Experienced business leaders, who are members of the chamber, speak candidly about their experiences in doing business in Asia, sharing trade secrets and important lessons they have learnt along the way. Those featured include Vishnu Shahaney, Chief Executive Officer, ANZ Singapore; Nathan Bell, Director Global Product and Marketing from Telstra; Dale Anderson, Head of the Singapore Campus, James Cook University Australia; and Angelo Augustus, Managing Director for Harvey Norman in Singapore.

“Being in Singapore, the top line is very good for us, but the bottom line is very challenging,” said Mr Augustus.

“The AustCham office is approached almost every day with enquiries from Australian business seeking advice and researching opportunities in Asia. Our survey showed that over 60 percent of respondents reported an increase in 2012 revenues (vs 2011). More than 80 percent maintain a highly optimistic view of business over the next five years, with significant positivity around markets in Singapore, Indonesia and China,” Mr Scott reported.

Coinciding with the launch of Access Asia, Australian leaders in Singapore are taking to the road to advise Australians on how they can better take advantage of Singapore’s emergence as a major centre for global wealth and regional business. From March 10-14, the roadshow will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin and Perth with a full program of round tables and forums scheduled. The panel includes Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore Philip Green, Senior Trade Commissioner in Singapore Christopher Rees, and President of AustCham Singapore, Guy Scott.

Mr Scott, who has lived and worked in Asia since 1991, says, “AustCham aims to facilitate information exchange and act as the springboard for Australians seeking to expand their business into the region and grow their connections. The roadshow will help showcase Australian business success stories in Singapore and to answer questions on business strategy in Asia.”

The Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, Philip Green OAM said, “My goals are to get a greater share of the outbound investment from Singapore into Australia. I want Australians to understand better the scale and consequence of what’s happening in Singapore so they can take better advantage of it. I want Australian business to be as well connected as it can in Singapore to take advantage of its unique network and position in an era of renewed globalisation.”

Senior Trade Commissioner in Singapore Christopher Rees says, “Singapore is tipped to become the world’s largest centre for private wealth management within a few years. At the same time, the city state has become a regional hub for multinational corporates – with more than 7,000 MNCs now operating out of Singapore. Now is a great time for Australian business to be expanding into Asia and Singapore is a great place to start.”