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Singapore is one of the top trading nations in the world. It is part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area and has secured Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Australia, European Free Trade Association, India, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Panama, South Korea and the United States of America. It has also signed the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement with Brunei, Chile and New Zealand.
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These agreements have opened up new pathways leading to the development of Singapore's economy and its relations with other countries Singapore's economy and its relations wit other countries. Singapore is also carrying on negotiations with countries like Bahrain, Canada, Egypt and Pakistan to further expand and strengthen its trade relations.
About 60% of the 7,000 international companies in Singapore operated out of the city in 2003. Of these more than 75% are using Singapore to cover Asia-Pacific, including the Greater China region. American oil giant Caltex is one such global player who based its corporate headquarters in Singapore. Singapore has excellent infrastructure, sophisticated institutions, a clean government, skilled workers, harmonious labour-management relations and a level playing field for foreign investors. Major industry leaders work from Singapore in the areas of manufacturing support, marketing, business development, technical support, product development, and finance and treasury |