S’pore is fourth out of 26 economies, ahead of US, UK, HK

SOME people want to leave Singapore for greener pastures. But the city-state has some of the greenest around, according to expats surveyed by HSBC Bank International.

The survey quizzed 3,146 expats across 50 countries about their experience when integrating into local society and quality of life compared with that in their home country. And Singapore was ranked a respectable fourth out of 26 economies – ahead of the US, UK and Hong Kong.

Only places with at least 30 respondents were ranked to provide a more accurate indication of views and trends in each place.

Within the Asia-Pacific, Singapore was ranked third after Australia and Thailand, which snagged the top two spots.

Canada was ranked first among all countries in the survey.

Sebastian Arcuri, head of personal financial services at HSBC Singapore, said: ‘It is not surprising that expats ranked Singapore highly in the survey. Our expat clients from HSBC Premier have shared with us many anecdotes praising the efficiency of Singapore’s infrastructure and the high standard of living here.’

On individual components that made up the survey – such as quality of accommodation, health care, food, education and the like – Singapore was ranked in tops for setting up utilities, with 82 per cent of respondents saying this was fuss-free.

On transport, seven out of 10 respondents said travelling here easier than in their home country, putting the island in fourth place.

For health care, Singapore was ranked sixth, with over half of respondents here saying they think Singapore’s health services are better here than those in their home country.

On schooling for expat children, Singapore was ranked second after Malaysia, with 37 per cent of respondents here saying education and child care are better than at home.

But expats living here seem to find it difficult to make local friends – Singapore was ranked 18th out of 26.

And even more interestingly, Singapore was ranked a relatively lowly 12th for food, with only 43 per cent of respondents saying food is better here than in their home country.

Still, this was higher than the global average of 36 per cent.

The survey was conducted by third-party research firm FreshMinds from Feb to April this year.

Source: Business Times, 15 Dec 2009

SINGAPORE is the fourth most attractive posting globally for expatriates, according to a new survey from HSBC.

The bank’s report, which assesses the expatriate experience provided by 26 key locations, puts the Lion City behind Canada, Australia and Thailand but ahead of Bahrain, South Africa, France and the US.

Some 3,146 expatriates from 50 economies were polled for the survey, which ranks Singapore highly for logistics such as the setting up of utilities and transport, but lowly in terms of softer issues such as making local friends and hobbies.

Mr Sebastian Arcuri, HSBC Singapore’s head of personal financial services, said it was not surprising expatriates ranked Singapore highly.

‘Our expat clients have shared with us many anecdotes praising the efficiency of Singapore’s infrastructure and the high standard of living here,’ he said.

Singapore got the thumbs up for quality of transport, education, childcare and health care.

The Republic emerged top for the setting up of utilities, with 82per cent of expatriates stating that the experience was fuss-free. By contrast, two-thirds of expatriates in the United Arab Emirates found the same process tough.

Singapore came fourth for transport, with the quality of this system making it easier to get to work.

Two-thirds of those polled noted an increase in the ease of travelling to work after moving to their new base, compared with 44per cent globally. And 72per cent said the general quality of travel was better than that available in their home countries.

Hong Kong came two places ahead of Singapore in this area, with expatriates finding the commute to work easier and noticing an improvement in transport generally.

Singapore excelled in education and childcare, coming in second behind Malaysia for organising schooling for expatriate children. Some 37per cent of expatriates here reported an increase in the quality of education and childcare after moving to Singapore, compared to only 18per cent globally.

But Singapore ranked a lowly 18th in terms of the ease of making local friends, and 24th for joining a local community group.

Mr Phillip Overmyer, an American and chief executive of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, said this could be due to housing and the presence of international schools and clubs.

He noted: ‘Most Singaporeans live in HDB flats, which are not yet popular as a housing choice for expats, who tend to live in private apartments. There are also strongly established networks among expat communities here.’

The major findings of the survey were supported by business chambers and expatriate communities.

Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Predeep Menon said: ‘Singapore’s been building up the buzz, which was known to be lacking a decade ago. Now it’s a more ‘happening’ place.’

Some aspects of the survey did not ring true with everyone though.

British Chamber of Commerce president Terry O’Connor said his members were very happy socially.

‘We have a thriving business networking scene. Singapore is an easy place for people to assimilate,’ he said.

A recent study conducted by the American Chamber showed that expatriates were most satisfied with the lack of corruption, Singapore’s laws and regulations, stable government and personal security. However, for the third year in a row, the survey cited housing costs and office lease costs as areas of concern.

Singapore service standards and cost of living are also negatives, said Mr Overmyer. ‘There are serious problems with the standards of service in the F&B, retail and hotel sectors. We’re getting wealthier people living here who are used to higher standards of service elsewhere, but are getting a lower standard of service here. We’re losing ground in this area relative to other countries in the region,’ he said.

Source: Straits Times, 15 Dec 2009

Singapore earned kudos from expats for the quality of utilities, transport, education and childcare, and healthcare available here, according to the latest findings of HSBC’s Expat Explorer.

The survey, said to be the largest international survey of expatriates ever conducted, said Singapore has been ranked third among countries in the Asia-Pacific, after Australia and Thailand; and fourth against all the countries in the survey, after Canada, Australia and Thailand.

According to the survey, Singapore is tops when it comes to the setting up of utilities.

In terms of transport and commute to work, Hong Kong is ranked two places ahead of Singapore.

Singapore is a close second to Malaysia when it comes to organising school for expat children.

In terms of accommodation, over half of expats (51 per cent) in Singapore said that the quality of their accommodation has improved from their country of origin, compared to the global average of 42 per cent.

As for healthcare, over half (56 per cent) of expats felt that healthcare had improved when they moved to Singapore.

Singapore emerged a clear food haven with 43 per cent of expats agreeing that the food quality had improved significantly for them.

Commissioned by HSBC Bank International, Expat Experience is the second report in the Expat Explorer research. The survey questioned 3,146 expats across four continents and 50 countries on their experiences of integrating into local society and their quality of life in comparison to their home country.

Source: Business Times, 14 Dec 2009

Flood of inquiries despite $20k fees at Stamford American International

SINGAPORE’S newest international school was officially opened yesterday, and already, demand for places is heating up despite fees that run to $20,000 a year.

The Stamford American International School (SAIS) started classes two weeks ago on its temporary campus in Lorong Chuan – beside the Australian International School Singapore (AISS) – with an enrolment of about 90 students.

By year’s end, it will take in another 90 students.

The school is operated by Cognita – an international education group that runs about 50 schools worldwide, including the AISS.

The group’s chief executive officer for Asia, Mr Brian Rogove, said yesterday that interest in the school has been high.

The number of inquiries on places has grown from about 20 a week at the beginning of the year to about 75 a week now.

He expects demand to remain strong, as many of the inquiries are from parents looking to relocate to Singapore soon.

In fact, he said, about half of the students currently enrolled come from families who moved here this year.

‘We see this as a sign that the economy is growing and more families will be moving here in future,’ he added.

SAIS expects to have 2,500 students by 2016, four years after its permanent campus in Upper Serangoon opens.

The school’s temporary Lorong Chuan premises can accommodate only 600 students.

SAIS takes in children between the ages of two and 18, and offers the International Baccalaureate and American Advanced Placement Diploma programmes.

The demand for places at SAIS is mirrored at other international schools here.

For example, AISS – which currently has an enrolment of 2,258 – has over 100 children on its waiting list for next year.

Over at United World College of South East Asia (UWC), the waiting list is in the thousands, said the school’s director of communications, Ms Joy L. Stevenson.

The strong demand for places has dispelled earlier fears that the global recession would affect enrolment.

Earlier this year – as Singapore and the rest of the world were caught in the throes of the recession – insiders predicted that the rush for international school places would slow to a trickle, as companies cut jobs, forcing many expatriates to leave town and take their families with them.

But such fears proved unfounded.

In fact, UWC’s Ms Stevenson said that, if anything, waiting lists have grown longer. The reason, she said, is that ‘more expatriate families are staying on beyond their one- or two-year contracts, and are making Singapore their permanent homes’.

SAIS’ Mr Rogove agreed.

He said at the school’s opening ceremony yesterday: ‘According to an internal survey, we estimated that about 2,000 expatriate students would leave Singapore this year.

‘But to our surprise, this has not been the case. Not only are families staying on, but we are also seeing new families who just moved to Singapore this year applying for places in the school.’

He added: ‘I think this is due to the resilience of Singapore’s economy and also because of confidence in the quality of education in schools here.’

The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore said a survey it conducted showed that this year, there will be more people moving here than moving out.

Although they can apply to place their children in mainstream schools here, many expatriate parents prefer international schools.

When interviewed, expats said that while they plan to stay in Singapore for the long term, they want their children in international schools so that they can maintain links to their home countries.

One such parent is Mrs Laura Byers Day, a Canadian who has lived with her family here for 11 years. She has three children enrolled in SAIS.

Said the 40-year-old housewife: ‘We don’t plan to leave any time soon. Singapore is a great place to live in, it’s safe and the education is good.

‘But, at the same time, since we are so far away from home, we want our children to be educated in a system which we are familiar with.

‘And if they choose to go back, they will be able to fit in better.’

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MORE STAYING PUT

‘According to an internal survey, we estimated that about 2,000 expatriate students would leave Singapore this year. But to our surprise, this has not been the case. Not only are families staying on, but we are also seeing new families who just moved to Singapore this year applying for places in the school.
Mr Brian Rogove, Cognita’s chief executive officer for Asia

Source: Straits Times, 29 Aug 2009

Another international school has opened its doors in Singapore, hoping to fill an expected demand for foreign-style education system here and in the Asia Pacific.

According to Singapore-based education group Cognita, although earlier surveys had estimated the exodus of some 2,000 international students, improvements in Singapore’s economy have in fact led to an increase in expatriates moving into the country.

The company runs the new Stamford American International School, which opened its temporary campus at Lorong Chuan on Friday. It said some 32,000 students are studying in international schools here and the number is expected to double by 2014.

Kathleen Caoyonan, expatriate from Texas, USA, said: “With the younger kids, there are so few slots. I think people are starting to find a little bit more openings, but there is still a waiting list.”

Cognita has already committed S$250 million for the development of its new campus, which currently has over 80 students. The firm said demand is good, citing up to 70 enquiries on enrolment each week.

Brian Rogave, chief executive officer of Asia Cognita, said: “Every single enquiry we’ve had turned into enrolment. It’s a positive trend, we hope it continues.”

The current campus can take in up to 600 students. The permanent campus, to be located at Upper Serangoon, will offer some 2,500 places when it is ready by 2012.

Access to foreign schools is an important criterion for expatriates coming to work in Singapore, according to a study conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).

The study also found that more than three-quarters of respondents preferred attending international schools with home-country curriculum.

In August last year, the Singapore government had, for the first time, listed public buildings and vacant plots to be made available for more foreign schools.

Initial plans were for up to four schools to be built, but this was later scaled down to just one due to the economic downturn.

Cognita runs 50 schools worldwide, including the Australian International School here which has reported a waiting list of 114 for next year’s enrolment.

Source: Channel News Asia, 28 Aug 2009

Stamford American Int’l School will provide up to 2,500 places in long run

BARELY two years after taking over the Australian International School of Singapore, international education group Cognita is now busy counting down the days to the birth of its newest baby – the Stamford American International School.

As the finishing touches are applied to the campus in Lorong Chuan ahead of the big day on Aug 17, the availability of up to 2,500 places in the long run will be a boon to the Republic’s goal to be an education hub in the region, said Cognita chief executive (Asia-Pacific) Brian Rogove.

In a recent interview with BT, he said Stamford will have an initial intake of about 500-600 students – from nursery level to the fifth grade – for the first three years.

And once it moves to a permanent home in Upper Serangoon Road, the school will cater to a maximum of 2,500 students spread out in small class sizes of around 20.

This, said Mr Rogove, will help ease the perennially tight supply of places in schools here that offer a US-style education. Stamford will offer an American-style curriculum, with a strong focus on languages.

Last November, the Economic Development Board awarded UK-based Cognita a state site at the former Upper Serangoon secondary school in what was the government’s first request-for- interest exercise for foreign system schools. Cognita was chosen from almost 30 proposals received during the exercise.

‘In the past couple of months, the level of interest in our American school has increased tremendously, especially from overseas,’ Mr Rogove said. ‘The EDB has been incredibly supportive of us from day one, and has helped us achieve our target opening date.’

Singapore remains a key market for Cognita because of its strategic location, he said. ‘As it is a market where we see many opportunities, we will continue to explore the possibility of future expansion.’

Having opened its Asia-Pacific headquarters at The Central at Clarke Quay, Mr Rogove said the group plans to expand its existing portfolio of more than 50 schools worldwide, including in the UK and Spain.

In May this year it announced its first foray into Thailand with the acquisition of the St Andrews International School, with plans to pour in money to build a new secondary school as well.

It has been a non-stop journey for the group’s financiers since they set up the company just five years ago. Chairman Chris Woodhead, former chief inspector of schools in the UK, has said Cognita is on track to own up to 100 schools by 2013.

Asked about the other countries that Cognita has its eye on, Mr Rogove was guarded but gave an inkling into what he sees as the more lucrative markets

‘We are just getting into China,’ he said. ‘In the next couple of months we will announce some acquisitions in South-east Asia. Countries that we are keen on are Vietnam, Australia, Malaysia, China, to name a few.’

Source: Business Times, 3 Aug 2009

DESPITE the high cost of living for expatriates in Singapore, and cutbacks in luxury spending due to the recession, most expats here want to stay put, an HSBC survey has found.

HSBC’s Expat Economics survey, carried out from February to April this year, polled over 3,100 expats across 50 countries on their financial situation and lifestyle.

‘Expats in Singapore live the high life,’ says the survey report, released yesterday.

More than three-quarters of the 192 expats polled here said they have more disposable income than they had back home.

Three-quarters also said they save more here than they did back home. Among various wealth accumulation tools, the three most popular were savings accounts, managed funds and shares.

Sebastian Arcuri, head of personal financial services at HSBC Singapore, said: ‘Our expat clients have told us that reductions in rent over the past nine months have increased their disposable income. However, due to the uncertain economic times, most of them are opting not to spend this increase in their income.’

Two-thirds of the expats polled here said they have cut back on spending on luxury items.

The cost of living for expatriates in Singapore remains high. Forty-four per cent of those polled here spend more on accommodation than expats in other countries, and entertainment and healthcare costs are also above the global average, the HSBC survey found.

However, 91 per cent of those polled here said they have not considered returning home amid the economic crisis – higher than the 85 per cent global average.

Of those who have considered moving home, 28 per cent cited shorter work contracts as a key factor, compared with the global average of 15 per cent.

Overall, Singapore ranked sixth worldwide on the report’s league table of quality of life, as measured by expats’ annual income, disposable income, ability to save and possession of luxury items.

Hong Kong, another popular expat location in this region, ranked fourth. The Russian Federation, Qatar and Saudi Arabia took the top three spots.

Source: Business Times, 28 July 2009

DEMAND for private education in top international schools remains strong despite the economic slump.

A few schools have waiting lists up to four years long, and a steady flow of inquiries about enrolment.

Yesterday, the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) broke the ground for its new Tampines campus, which will boost its enrolment from 3,000 now to a targeted 5,500 by 2015.

The campus will open in parts from next August, starting with the infant school, where the wait-list is longest. The rest of the campus will open in 2011.

Its head of college, Mr Julian Whiteley, said there is significant demand for places in the school. All classes now are full.

Similar situations exist at the Tanglin Trust School, the Australian International School Singapore and the Canadian International School.

Tanglin Trust has no vacancies at all, while the Australian school has none for its preschool. The Canadian school is also running close to capacity.

The Australian International School has about 160 children pre-enrolled until 2013 so they can secure places early, while the Tanglin Trust School has a wait-list which grows at a healthy rate each month.

The Canadian International School also has a list of close to 100 people who have pre-enrolled their children in the school for the coming years.

With its new Tampines campus, UWCSEA will join a list of international schools which have expanded their premises or announced plans to do so because of an urgent need for space.

The Australian School opened its extension for preschoolers and junior schoolers in July last year. Barely three months later, it announced plans to build a new 35-classroom wing for senior students by next April.

Another school, Global Indian International School, opened its third campus in Balestier last August.

Schools pointed to several reasons for the demand: more younger international students coming in, the rising appeal of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme offered by some schools, and the entry of many families into the Asia Pacific region.

Even if expatriates lose their jobs, the last thing they want to do is disrupt their children’s education, said Mr Whiteley.

The new 5.5ha UWCSEA campus, which has a 45-year lease, is being built at ‘extremely low’ cost, said Mr Charles Ormiston, a member of UWCSEA’s board of governors.

It missed the peak in the construction market because of the recession, and final costs will be about 15 per cent below initial estimates, he added.

At the ground-breaking ceremony yesterday, the school announced it would offer scholarships every year for two Singaporean students from neighbourhood schools, starting from 2011.

Applications will begin in August next year for entry to the school year in August 2011, Mr Whiteley said. Each scholarship is worth about $60,000, depending on whether the student chooses to stay in the boarding school, and will be to complete the school’s two-year IB diploma programme.

Over the next four to five years, Mr Whiteley added, the school will employ close to 200 teachers from Singapore and elsewhere.

Mr S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, said that the Government’s support of UWCSEA’s expansion – JTC Corporation is leasing the building to the school – underlines its commitment to provide world-class educational facilities for the international community here.

He added: ‘Even as we tackle the pressing economic issues of today, we are also building the infrastructure and capabilities needed to realise our vision of a global city. International schools are an essential part of that architecture.’

Meanwhile, Mrs Joanna Bennett, whose two children, aged five and seven, are studying in UWCSEA’s interim Ang Mo Kio campus, is looking forward to the completion of the school in Tampines.

Said the 41-year-old housewife who is married to a Briton: ‘When we first applied in 2007, there was a waiting list of more than 200 people.

“We were very fortunate – three months later we got an e-mail informing us about a new Tampines campus.

‘But I would still have waited if I had to, because I want the best education for my children.’

Source: Straits Times, 18 June 2009

DEMAND for private education in top international schools remains strong despite the economic slump.

A few schools have waiting lists up to four years long, and a steady flow of inquiries about enrolment.

Yesterday, the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) broke the ground for its new Tampines campus, which will boost its enrolment from 3,000 now to a targeted 5,500 by 2015.

The campus will open in parts from next August, starting with the infant school, where the wait-list is longest. The rest of the campus will open in 2011.

Its head of college, Mr Julian Whiteley, said there is significant demand for places in the school. All classes now are full.

Similar situations exist at the Tanglin Trust School, the Australian International School Singapore and the Canadian International School.

Tanglin Trust has no vacancies at all, while the Australian school has none for its preschool. The Canadian school is also running close to capacity.

The Australian International School has about 160 children pre-enrolled until 2013 so they can secure places early, while the Tanglin Trust School has a wait-list which grows at a healthy rate each month.

The Canadian International School also has a list of close to 100 people who have pre-enrolled their children in the school for the coming years.

With its new Tampines campus, UWCSEA will join a list of international schools which have expanded their premises or announced plans to do so because of an urgent need for space.

The Australian School opened its extension for preschoolers and junior schoolers in July last year. Barely three months later, it announced plans to build a new 35-classroom wing for senior students by next April.

Another school, Global Indian International School, opened its third campus in Balestier last August.

Schools pointed to several reasons for the demand: more younger international students coming in, the rising appeal of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme offered by some schools, and the entry of many families into the Asia Pacific region.

Even if expatriates lose their jobs, the last thing they want to do is disrupt their children’s education, said Mr Whiteley.

The new 5.5ha UWCSEA campus, which has a 45-year lease, is being built at ‘extremely low’ cost, said Mr Charles Ormiston, a member of UWCSEA’s board of governors.

It missed the peak in the construction market because of the recession, and final costs will be about 15 per cent below initial estimates, he added.

At the ground-breaking ceremony yesterday, the school announced it would offer scholarships every year for two Singaporean students from neighbourhood schools, starting from 2011.

Applications will begin in August next year for entry to the school year in August 2011, Mr Whiteley said. Each scholarship is worth about $60,000, depending on whether the student chooses to stay in the boarding school, and will be to complete the school’s two-year IB diploma programme.

Over the next four to five years, Mr Whiteley added, the school will employ close to 200 teachers from Singapore and elsewhere.

Mr S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, said that the Government’s support of UWCSEA’s expansion – JTC Corporation is leasing the building to the school – underlines its commitment to provide world-class educational facilities for the international community here.

He added: ‘Even as we tackle the pressing economic issues of today, we are also building the infrastructure and capabilities needed to realise our vision of a global city. International schools are an essential part of that architecture.’

Meanwhile, Mrs Joanna Bennett, whose two children, aged five and seven, are studying in UWCSEA’s interim Ang Mo Kio campus, is looking forward to the completion of the school in Tampines.

Said the 41-year-old housewife who is married to a Briton: ‘When we first applied in 2007, there was a waiting list of more than 200 people.

“We were very fortunate – three months later we got an e-mail informing us about a new Tampines campus.

‘But I would still have waited if I had to, because I want the best education for my children.’

Source: Straits Times, 18 June 2009

SINGAPORE has become one of the 10 most expensive cities in Asia for expatriates to live, according to a new cost-of-living survey.

The Republic’s promotion from 13th spot last year to 10th in the ECA International survey, is largely down to price increases not slowing as quickly as elsewhere in Asia.

This is despite a weakening Singapore dollar making goods and services that much cheaper here for foreigners.

The strengthening of the yen saw the region’s top four spots taken up by Japanese cities.
Tokyo reclaimed its position as Asia’s most expensive city, followed by Nagoya, Yokohama and Kobe.

Explaining Singapore’s move up the ranks, Mr Lee Quane, regional director of ECA Asia, said: ‘Prices have not slowed down as much in Singapore as in other parts of Asia.’

The pace of increase in prices of goods and services in countries such as China and Malaysia, for instance, has slowed down by half. Prices are down by just one quarter in Singapore, said Mr Quane.

Still, Singapore remains a more affordable place than long-time rival Hong Kong, where the cost of living is being driven up by the strength of the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar.
Hong Kong jumped from 98th spot to 29th in the global ranking, and is the seventh most costly city in Asia.

Globally, Singapore came in 72nd, up from being 114th last year.

Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila and New Delhi are among the Asian cities which have become relatively cheaper for expatriates.

The survey found that the cost of living in Asia has increased relative to the United States and Europe, given that the West has been hit hardest by the global financial crisis.

So, while inflation has slowed in many Asian cities compared to a year ago, it has fallen more dramatically in many Western countries where growth has been slower.

Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) chief executive Phillip Overmyer says global companies with operations in Singapore are feeling the pinch.

‘We’re seeing demand coming down, yet costs remain very high,’ making Singapore and some other Asian cities very expensive places to operate, he warned.

‘What I see going on right now are serious evaluations (by companies). Where do we go if we need to move? What do we do if recession is going to last for a few years?’

Ms Jane Fraser, 38, an advertising executive, said the cost of living in Singapore is still ‘reasonably bearable’. However, housing rents, which have been steadily declining of late, are still a bugbear, she said.

ECA carries out its survey twice a year to help multinational companies calculate remuneration packages and living costs for expatriates. The study compares a basket of 125 consumer goods and services commonly bought by expats in over 370 locations and measures these items against inflation, availability of goods and exchange rates.

Most expensive cities in Asia
1. Tokyo (1)
2. Nagoya (4)
3. Yokohama (2)
4. Kobe (5)
5. Beijing (10)
6. Shanghai (12)
7. Hong Kong (9)
8. Shenzhen (16)
9. Guangzhou (15)
10. Singapore (13)
Bracket indicates March 2008 ranking

Source: Straits Times, 11 Jun 2009