The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) has inaugurated its first Singapore Enterprise Centre (SEC) in the Middle East, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This development is part of SBF’s GlobalConnect@SBF initiative, designed to bolster Singapore companies’ expansion into overseas markets. The SEC@Dubai will provide market advisory, networking, and business matching support to Singapore enterprises looking to explore opportunities in the Gulf region.
The launch event was attended by Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, and Chairman of Dubai Chambers, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, among other dignitaries. The UAE, with an economy valued at US$569b and projected to grow by 4.8% in 2025, is a key market for Singapore. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached S$24b in 2024, highlighting the strong economic ties.
The SEC@Dubai will act as a strategic gateway for Singapore firms targeting markets in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar. The centre will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through various programmes and workshops. Kok Ping Soon, CEO of SBF, noted the UAE’s role as a top trading partner and emphasised the growing demand for Singapore enterprises in the region.
The initiative aligns with Enterprise Singapore’s efforts to strengthen economic ties and create sustainable growth pathways in the Middle East. The SEC@Dubai is expected to play a crucial role in facilitating Singapore’s trade and investment ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
