Singapore is top destination for Aussie companies

And 58% of Aussie businesses are interested in expanding across the South-East Asian region.

Rapidly developing South-East Asian markets are becoming increasingly attractive destinations for Australian companies, according to a survey conducted by Regus, the world’s leading provider of workplace solutions. The research, which polled over 800 business leaders across Australia, found that 58% of companies are interested in doing business across the South-East Asian region.

The survey also uncovered a mounting appetite amongst smaller companies to establish themselves in South-East Asia. While almost two-thirds of larger companies say they are interested in doing business in the region, the number of smaller companies who have intentions to expand abroad are rising. In fact, 36% of small companies declared themselves more interested this year than last year, compared to 31% of larger companies.

Singapore in particular is a top destination for Australian businesses. Companies of all sizes use providers such as Regus to expand into overseas markets, and interest from Australian companies for the workspace provider’s 150 Asia-Pacific locations have increased dramatically over the past two years.

Top destinations for Regus Australian customers in South-East Asia:

1. Singapore

2. Philippines

3. Malaysia

4. Thailand

5. Indonesia

6. Vietnam

William Willems, Regional Vice-President ANZ and South-East Asia for Regus, comments: “The Australian economy has proved itself reliable and resilient over the past few years, but local businesses are now looking to take advantage of huge opportunities in South-East Asian markets. As a result, today we ourselves have more Australian customers in Singapore than we do in the United States or the United Kingdom, and more in the Philippines than in China or Hong Kong.”

David Thomas, CEO of Think Global Consulting, “We are seeing a steady interest in the South-East Asian market from Australian businesses of all sizes. Singapore is always going to be the hub for South-East Asia. However, Indonesia, which has the fourth largest population in the world, will be an important market for Australian businesses in the future. Australian businesses offering high quality services, from education, tourism and financial/professional services to design, innovation and technology, are in high demand in South-East Asia. ” said Thomas.

Brian Ahern, an Australian citizen echoes Thomas’ views. Ahern arrived in Singapore with his family in 1986 to open an office for an international company and started his own company Maglink International Pte Ltd four years later. His company specializes in data storage products.

“In choosing a location to commence your business, you must ensure that the place is conducive to business and also very liveable. Singapore definitely fits this environment. A stable and pro-active government, SME-friendly policies, a banking system supportive of SMEs, wide availability of capable staff, reasonable office rental rates and competitive tax rates are other factors which make Singapore a very attractive place for Australian companies to do business,” Ahern said.