If you're considering where to base your Asia Pacific operations, you're likely weighing up several options. For many, Singapore consistently comes out on top, and for good reason. This city state offers the stability, seamless connectivity and business infrastructure that make regional expansion considerably smoother.
Whether you're among the multinational corporations seeking a new market, a professional services firm or a high-growth SME ready to scale, establishing your APAC headquarters in Singapore puts you in excellent company. With proper support from serviced office providers, flexible office solutions make it faster and more cost-effective to get started, giving you gain access to move in ready workspaces without the delays of traditional office setup.
Why Singapore Leads the Asia Pacific for Business Growth
Singapore's position as the leading regional hub comes down to deliberate policy, world-class infrastructure and a prime location at the crossroads of global commerce.
Sitting at the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is within a seven-hour flight of half the world's population. Changi Airport connects your business globally, with over 7,200 weekly flights to cities including Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Sydney. For regional directors managing teams across multiple time zones, this connectivity offers significant advantages.
In terms of reputation, the country has been the location of choice for thousands of global firms. Singapore hosted regional headquarters for 4,200 multinational firms in 2023, more than three times the 1,336 based in Hong Kong. Big MNCs like Microsoft and Google all run their regional business operations from here. For technology companies specifically, Singapore hosts over half of all APAC regional headquarters, with financial institutions and professional services firms also being well represented.
Stability, Talent and Tax: What Makes Singapore Work
Singapore ranks as one of the most business friendly economies globally,placing second in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. For foreign companies establishing a regional presence, this translates into predictable conditions and strong intellectual property protection.
The talent pipeline is equally strong, with Singapore's workforce ranking first in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index for Asia Pacific, and nearly 62% of the population holding post-secondary qualifications. English is the language of business, while multilingual capabilities provide natural bridges into neighbouring markets.
On the tax front, Singapore's flat 17% corporate rate is competitive, though effective rates are often lower thanks to further exemptions. New companies can receive a 75% exemption on their first S$100,000 of chargeable income for their first three years. The city state has signed over 100 double taxation agreements worldwide, imposes no capital gains tax, and operates a one-tier dividend system where shareholder distributions are tax-free.
The Cost Advantage: Serviced Office Space vs Traditional Leases
Traditional office leases in Singapore's central business district require two to three-year commitments, significant fit-out costs and separate contracts for essential services. For Grade A office space in Marina Bay or Raffles Place, rents range from S$9 to S$14 per square foot per month before you factor in furniture, equipment and renovation.
Serviced office space offers a different approach to support your business growth. A fully furnished private office in the CBD can start from approximately S$600 to S$2,500 per month per desk, with all-inclusive pricing covering rent, utilities, internet, mail handling and meeting rooms access. You can walk into ready to use workspaces on Monday and be fully operational by Tuesday.
Flexible lease terms matter too. Traditional office arrangements lock you into fixed footprints regardless of how the business evolves. Flexible workspaces grow with you. Add desks as teams expand, consolidate when needed, or test the Singapore market before making a larger commitment. For businesses exploring the region, virtual offices provide a professional presence and business address without the overhead of private office space.
Prime Locations: CBD, Marina Bay and Raffles Place
Where you base your regional headquarters sends a message to clients, partners and investors. Singapore's central business district, encompassing Marina Bay, Raffles Place and surrounding commercial buildings, is where Asia's leading businesses operate. These prime locations house regional offices for the world's top banks, law firms and technology companies.
Beyond establishing a professional presence, these locations deliver practical benefits. Proximity to government ministries simplifies compliance, networking opportunities happen naturally among like minded professionals, and visiting executives appreciate being within walking distance of major hotels and transport links. The supportive environment extends to corporate events and client meetings, with fully equipped workspaces and premium facilities available when you need them.
Flexible Office Solutions for Diverse Business Needs
Setting up a regional headquarters involves more than finding desk space. You need a compliant address for corporate registration, enterprise-grade IT, reception services and the ability to book meeting rooms for client presentations. Premium serviced offices deliver all of this as a turnkey package, so your team can focus on moving the business forward rather than managing facilities.
The range of options suits diverse business needs. Private office space works for established teams requiring confidentiality. Shared office space and coworking spaces suit smaller operations or project teams. A hot desk arrangement offers maximum flexibility for travelling executives. Whatever your requirements, flexible office providers can tailor solutions that enhance productivity and support your business operations.
Multilingual reception staff handle communications across the region's markets. High-speed internet and video conferencing facilities come included. As your team grows, the model scales with you. Start with a two-person office, expand to ten desks within a year, then move to a dedicated floor when the time is right, all without the disruption of relocating. This flexibility lets you rent office space on flexible terms that match your actual needs.
How Servcorp Supports Your APAC Expansion
For more than 45 years, Servcorp has helped companies establish and grow their presence across Asia Pacific. Their premium serviced offices in Singapore's most prestigious addresses, provide the ideal workspace to hit the ground running.
Every Servcorp office includes enterprise-grade IT infrastructure, bilingual reception teams, fully equipped meeting rooms and the flexibility to scale as your business grows. Its global network of 140+ locations means your Singapore headquarters connects seamlessly with Servcorp facilities worldwide, supporting your business needs wherever opportunities arise.
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