Year 2019 was an exceptional year for Singapore economy. With S$15.2 billion in Fixed Asset Investments (“FAI”) and S$9.0 billion in Total Business Expenditure per annum (“TBE”), they will create 32,814 new jobs for Singaporeans in the coming years. The biggest sectors of employment will come from Infocommunications & Media (Digital), Research and Development ;and Engineering & Environmental Services.
A major part of these investments will come from foreign companies which currently stand at an approximate of 37,400. These international companies base their operations out of Singapore, including 7,000 multinational corporations, with more than half of those running their Asia-Pacific businesses from Singapore, according to the EDB website.
How does it feel like working in a foreign company? We get two Singaporeans to share their experiences.
Aged 28, Shawn Tan possesses a mild and dignified demeanour which reflects well on his profession as a consultant with a Japanese Multinational corporation. Started since 2016, his job scope involves strategy planning, budgeting and business growth.
How did you get the job? Through Conversion Internship. I had joined the company as an intern, and they offered me a permanent position after it ended. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty in business through hands on work and am very willing to learn across industries. This includes putting in very long hours.
Your thoughts on why your regional headquarter is based here in Singapore: Singapore is the perfect base for the high growth in South East Asia. Tax is low. We have a pool of good and educated workforce. Singapore has invested a lot to develop a good infrastructure to attract my company to come here.
Advantages as a Singaporean who is working in a foreign company based in Singapore: I am given more opportunities to be exposed to a wide variety of different industries. I get ample opportunities to travel to get to understand different markets. I also enjoy mixing with my international colleagues and learning from them.
Brimming with confidence and a sunny disposition, Sharon Lim who is in her 30s, plunged into our conversation with much ease. Working in multinational corporations for a large part of her career path, she is currently working with one which delivers transformational medicines through R&D innovation. For the last three years, she plays an Early Talent Lead for the Southeast Asia markets.
What do you do? I recruit Early Talent from apprentices/fresh grads and interns for different business unit in my company. Employer branding efforts on campuses in SEA universities and building extensive network with the school faculties and career development. I also manage internal stakeholders and collaborate with Universities and external vendors to build on employer branding/awareness
Where did you get the job? I applied through the company’s Career Portal.
How did you get the job? I was able to articulate what they need in the role as a builder /starter as they are looking to build this role from scratch. I am also capable of managing tough stakeholders which are extremely crucial in this role.
Your thoughts on why your regional headquarter is based here in Singapore: Singapore’s global presence is important as we have many manufacturing sites presence to make API of the drugs and to distribute to the global markets. Singapore is an ideal location as she is known to be stringent in all these quality controls.
Advantages as a Singaporean who is working in a foreign company based in Singapore: My company treasures us. They listen and take the opinions of the local staff seriously. Everyone here has a fair share of our voices to be heard. I love her workplace culture. The employee benefits given to us are pretty good too.