Singapore should deepen its economic links with ASEAN as higher labour, energy, and carbon costs influence where multinational companies locate jobs and investments, according to the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). SIIA proposed a regional operating model under which headquarters, research and development, and parts of advanced manufacturing remain in Singapore, whilst broader manufacturing and other operations expand into neighbouring ASEAN markets. It also called for continued support for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and deeper cooperation with Indonesia’s Batam-Bintan-Karimun region and Sumatra. However, the institute cautioned that earlier cross-border initiatives encountered problems involving customs, immigration clearance and transport links. https://sbr.com.sg/economy/news/spore-must-deepen-asean-links-business-costs-rise-report (ICE SINGAPORE)

Fonte notizia: Singapore Business Review, 4 August 2026