Region: South-eastern Asia

Capital: Singapore (Xinjiapo)

Population: 4,353,893 (July 2004 est.)

Surface area: 618 sq km

Currency: dollar

GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,700 (2003 est.)

Background:
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Economy – Overview
Singapore, a highly developed and successful free market economy, enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a high per capita GDP. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in 2001-03 by the global recession and the slump in the technology sector. The government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to the external business cycle but is unlikely to abandon efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. Fiscal stimulus, low interest rates, and global economic recovery should lead to much improved growth in 2004.

United Nations membership date: 15 December 1976

New York Mission:
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore to the United Nations
231 East 51st Street
New York, N.Y. 10022 USA
Telephone: 212-826-0840, 0841, 0842, 0843, 0844
Fax: 212-826-2964
Singpmg@planet.ch

Website : http://www.mfa.gov.sg/newyork