‘Singapore in Bengaluru’, to strengthen growth, business partnerships

Bengaluru: Marking a new chapter in Singapore–India economic collaboration, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) recently inaugurated its fourth Singapore Enterprise Centre (SEC) in Bengaluru, India — and notably, its first outside Southeast Asia.

The new centre aims to empower Singapore enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to tap into India’s fast-expanding market. It is part of the GlobalConnect@SBF initiative, a partnership between Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and SBF, designed to help businesses internationalise through advisory support, market insights, and strategic networking.

Strengthening economic bridges across Asia

India, the world’s fourth-largest economy with an expected GDP growth rate of 6.6 percent in 2025, has emerged as Singapore’s largest investment destination for seven consecutive years. With the new Bengaluru Centre, SBF plans to engage over 470 enterprises within the next two years through trade missions, business-matching programmes, and capacity-building seminars.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Gan Siow Huang, Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, Shobha Karandlaje, India’s Minister for Labour and Employment and MSME, and Priyank M. Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for Electronics, IT & Biotechnology, and Rural Development.

Creating pathways for collaborative innovation

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between LAC Global Pte Ltd (Singapore) and JVKM India (Mitraa Wellness) to expand partnerships in the health and wellness sector, combining Singapore’s science-led innovations with India’s natural healing heritage.

The SBF–India Business Committee (SBF–IBC) was also formally announced at the event, chaired by Prasoon Mukherjee, Chairman of Universal Success Enterprises Ltd.

The committee will act as a strategic bridge between the business ecosystems of both countries.

Key corporate partners supporting the SEC@Bengaluru initiative include HSBC (Banking Services), In.Corp Advisory Services (Incorporation), Black Mountain (Human Resources), Universal Success Enterprises, New Kolkata International Development, Transworld Group, Thakral Group, and MAP Group (PT Mitra Adiperkasa).

A gateway to India’s growth story

“The opening of SEC@Bengaluru marks a significant milestone as we help Singapore enterprises explore India’s vibrant market,” said Kok Ping Soon, CEO of SBF. “From startups to large corporations, this centre will serve as a single point of contact for businesses seeking to learn, land, and localise in India.”

Tan Soon Kim, Deputy Managing Director (Markets) at EnterpriseSG, highlighted India’s potential thus: “India offers vast opportunities in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, infrastructure, and urban solutions. The SEC complements our ongoing efforts to support Singapore companies participating in India’s growth story.”

Echoing the sentiment, Prasoon Mukherjee said: “The Bengaluru centre will empower enterprises from both nations with trusted partnerships and real-time market intelligence, transforming the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ visions into cross-border success.”

The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) is the nation’s apex business chamber, representing more than 32,000 member companies across diverse industries.

SBF drives business transformation, internationalisation, and policy advocacy through global partnerships and capability-building initiatives.