ICT Business Development Mission to Singapore

Singapore is one of the most wired countries and technologically advanced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) markets in the world. It serves as the region’s trading center and is recognized as the leading tech hub in the Indo-Pacific, attracting more than 5,000 American businesses. Singapore has one of the most advanced and highest valued markets in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. In 2022, Singapore had over USD 29 billion in spending on ICT equipment, software, and services. The market is forecast to reach USD 38 billion by 2026 with a 6.9 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2023-2026.2 This establishes Singapore as one of the fastest growing APAC markets for ICT goods and services. The high-growth technology segments include networking and storage, security, telecom and systems infrastructure, and applications development and services.  

Singapore’s digital landscape showcases advanced infrastructure, robust government initiatives, sustainability focus, and strategic priorities for digital transformation. The country’s achievements and collaborations with international partners position it as a leader in the global digital economy. U.S. companies are encouraged to partner with Singaporean organizations to drive innovation and utilize their experience to expand across the Asia-Pacific region. 

The 2024 ICT Business Development Mission to Singapore will be centered around the annual ATxSG event, where mission participants will receive access to the show and participate in mission planned activities around the conference. ATxSG is organized by IMDA and Informa Tech and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). ATxSG has consistently attracted more than 15,000 participants from around the world. ATxSG 2023 featured more than 350 speakers from private and public sectors who participated in plenary sessions, industry panels, and roundtables. ATxSG Expo saw over 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors including multiple international country pavilions.  Under Secretary Lago participated in 2023 ATxSG panel discussions and other knowledge exchanges during her June 2023 Singapore trip.  Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo also participated virtually in a 2022 ATxSG fireside chat with Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo. 

The mission is designed for U.S. firms and organizations who play a part in the technology industry, especially those with products in the following categories: 
 

• Telecommunications 

• Cybersecurity 

• Artificial Intelligence 

• Digital Economy 

• Smart Cities Technology Applications

This list is not intended to be exhaustive of all opportunities but shows best prospect sectors. Applications from companies selling products or services within the scope of this mission, but not specifically identified, will be considered, and evaluated by the International Trade Administration on a case-by-case basis. 

Requirements

All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must complete and submit an application package for consideration by the DOC. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 firms and/or trade associations will be selected to participate in the mission from the applicant pool. 

Conditions

Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives an incomplete application, the Department may either: reject the application, request additional information/clarification, or take the lack of information into account when evaluating the application. If the requisite minimum number of participants is not selected for a particular mission by the recruitment deadline, the mission may be cancelled.   

Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content by value. In the case of a trade association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/organization, the products and/or services the represented firm or service provider seeks to export are either produced in the United States or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51% U.S. content. 

A trade association/organization applicant must certify to the above for all of the companies it seeks to represent on the mission. 

In addition, each applicant must: 

• Certify that the products and services that it wishes to market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export controls and regulations;  

• Certify that it has identified any matter pending before any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;  

• Certify that it has identified any pending litigation (including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that involves the Department of Commerce; and  

• Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates (1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in connection with a company’s/participant’s involvement in this mission, and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign officials. 

In the case of a trade association/organization, the applicant must certify that each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/organization can make the above certifications. 

After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the ATxSG 2024 Trade Mission to Singapore will be $3,200 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME)3; and $4,500 for large firms or trade associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME/trade organization) is $1,000.  Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. Interpreter and driver services can be arranged for additional cost. Delegation members will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates for hotel rooms. 

If and when an applicant is selected to participate on a particular mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the designated participation fee below is required. Upon notification of acceptance to participate, those selected have 5 business days to submit payment or the acceptance may be revoked.   

Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to, international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication, and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the event that a mission is cancelled, no personal expenses paid in anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation fees for a cancelled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have not already been expended in anticipation of the mission. 

If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such a visa are not included in the participation fee. However, the Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the procedures required to obtain business visas.  

Trade Mission members participate in trade missions and undertake mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security situation in a given foreign market at a given time cannot be guaranteed.  The U.S. Government does not make any representations or guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S. Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html.  Any question regarding insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer of choice. 

Selection Criteria

Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers and trade associations/organizations providing or promoting U.S. products and services that have an interest in entering or expanding their business in the mission’s destination country. The following criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants: 

• Suitability of the applicant’s (or in the case of a trade association/organization, represented firm’s or service provider’s) products or services to these markets;  

• The applicant’s (or in the case of a trade association/organization, represented firm’s or service provider’s) potential for business in the markets, including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission; and 

• Consistency of the applicant’s (or in the case of a trade association/organization, represented firm’s or service provider’s) goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission. 

Balance of company size and location may also be considered during the review process. 

Referrals from a political party or partisan political group or any information, including on the application, containing references to political contributions or other partisan political activities will be excluded from the application and will not be considered during the selection process. The sender will be notified of these exclusions. 

*Note: The final schedule and potential site visits will depend on the availability of host government and business officials, specific goals of mission participants, and ground transportation. 

How to Apply

• Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation no later than January 31st, 2024.  Applications received after January 31st, 2024 will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.  
• Submitting an application is indication of your interest to participate in the mission. No fees are due at the time of registering your intent to join the mission. Once you are invited to join the mission payment of mission fees and the signature of the participation agreement is then due in order to participate in the mission.

Apply for the Mission

Full Mission Statement