The business community in Singapore is varied. As an international and regional business hub Singapore has a large community and varied community of businessmen, based in Singapore for the longer or shorter term or visiting.
In many respects Singapore is a relatively easy place to do business. Red tape is limited (but not non-existent) and the government actively supports a good business climate in general and certain 'strategic' businesses in general.
The government website International Enterprise Singapore and world bank affiliated "Doing Business" website are good starting points to check the ease, time and cost of setting-up a company in Singapore.
Singapore is counted among the least corrupt countries in the world and scores high on the Corruption Perception Index, i.e. there is low perceived corruption, see Transparency International for details. A high score off course does not mean no corruption but the instances are few and certainly not 'institutionalized'.
Singapore is a politically stable country with a freely convertible stable currency. As such there is limited risk in setting-up in Singapore. In doing business in Singapore one needs to be a little more careful. As it is easy to set-up a company there are numerous small businesses, both Singaporean and foreign. The smaller ones and some of the foreign ones may sometimes be more risky to deal with as they may lack financial strength or experience.
The line of business you are in will determine what type of counterpart you may encounter but common sense and prudence are off course never misplaced.
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