Austrade media release

27 August 2007

The Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) has opened up unprecedented opportunities for the Australian businesses in Singapore’s $2.5 billion dollar government procurement market, according to Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss.

“Since SAFTA came into effect in 2003, businesses from both countries have made considerable strides in trade and investment,” Mr Truss said.

“Singapore is now Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in South East Asia and our fifth largest trading partner internationally. In 2006, Australian merchandise exports to Singapore were worth $4.6 billion and service exports reached $2.8 billion. Two-way trade topped $22 billion.”

“There is tremendous potential for continued growth in bilateral trade,” Mr Truss said. “SAFTA guarantees non-discriminatory treatment for Australian firms tendering for Singapore government business, and the Australian Government is doing its part to ensure that local companies have the assistance they need to win new business in Singapore.”

Austrade launched a new guide to doing business with the Singapore government in Perth today. The free guide selling to the Singapore Government outlines opportunities and provides step-by-step preparatory information for Australian businesses wanting to enter the Singapore government procurement market.

To further enhance access for Australian businesses, Austrade has also engaged the services of a Singapore-based government procurement specialist. This specialist networks with Singapore government agencies to develop SAFTA-related business opportunities.

According to Austrade’s Singapore-based Trade Commissioner, Cheryl Stanilewicz, “Australian companies can compete on a level playing field in the Singapore government procurement arena. Our exporters now have the opportunity to bid for tenders from 79 Singapore government ministries, agencies and statutory authorities.”

“Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) alone has earmarked over $588 million in ICT tenders for this financial year, and last year 37 per cent of the government tenders were awarded to international organisations.” 

“Australian entrepreneurs may find bidding for foreign government tenders daunting,” Ms Stanilewicz said. “But if they do their homework and take advantage of Austrade’s assistance, they will find that bidding for Singapore government projects is a very straight forward process. And their business will reap the rewards in the long run.”

Businesses can learn about upcoming opportunities and get first-hand expert advice on tapping into the multi-billion dollar Singapore government procurement market at a series of industry-specific seminars this month.

Cheryl Stanilewicz and Austrade’s Government Procurement Specialist, Sherleen Seah, will highlight opportunities in ICT, Professional Services & Training, and Building & Construction at seminars in Perth (Aug 27), Adelaide (Aug 29), Canberra  (Aug 31) and Brisbane (Sep 3).

ENDS

Media contact

Purnima Ganapathy
Tel: 02 9390 2319
M: 0419 127 577
email: purnima.ganapathy@austrade.gov.au

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre.