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In a major milestone for regional economic collaboration, six of Singapore’s leading trade and professional associations have jointly launched a full-scale Professional Services (PS) Centre in Shanghai, aimed at accelerating cross-border business growth and providing end-to-end support for companies expanding into China.
The initiative, driven by a new collective called the Alliance, includes the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME), the Institute of Valuers and Appraisers, Singapore (IVAS), the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), the Tax Academy, and the Law Society of Singapore.
Together, the Alliance spans over 30 industries and represents more than 50,000 professionals and businesses.
Strategically located in the Hongqiao Business District, the Shanghai PS Centre will serve as a permanent in-market presence for Singapore-based firms looking to expand into China.
It marks the first of up to 10 such centres envisioned globally under the Alliance’s “hunt in a pack” strategy, where business groups collaborate to regionalise as a unified ecosystem.
“This is an important step forward in our goal to support organisations as they expand overseas,” said Teo Ser Luck, President of ISCA. “Having a physical presence in China helps us build a stronger, Singapore-led network where professional bodies, trade groups, and businesses work closely together to find new opportunities.”
The Centre will focus on three core objectives: acting as a conduit for international expansion, enabling business development across multiple professional service sectors, and fostering a regional ecosystem for innovation, knowledge-sharing, and long-term partnership building.
Loh Tuck Keat, Singapore’s Consul-General in Shanghai, called the launch “a strong foundation for deeper economic and professional engagement between Singapore and China.” Chinese authorities also welcomed the initiative.
“We are confident the PS Centre will play a meaningful role in advancing our shared goals of development, innovation and economic exchange,” said Fuan Kong, Executive Deputy Director-General of the Party Leadership Group.
The Centre will offer resources and collaboration opportunities across accounting, tax, legal, valuation, and advisory services, especially geared toward small and medium enterprises.
By offering shared infrastructure and access to local networks, the platform aims to lower the barriers to market entry for Singapore firms while allowing them to operate with greater confidence and local relevance.
Ang Yuit, President of ASME, described Shanghai as “a gateway to one of the world’s most dynamic markets,” noting that the Centre would help Singaporean SMEs navigate a fast-evolving business landscape.
Meanwhile, SMF CEO Dennis Mark emphasized that the Centre would help Singapore manufacturers “seize global opportunities through innovation, connectivity, and shared expertise.”
The PS Centre also represents a broader strategic pivot by Singapore to strengthen its footprint in key regional economies through sectoral collaboration and institutional partnerships.
Upcoming launches are planned for Ho Chi Minh City, Nanjing, and Johor Bahru, underscoring the Alliance’s ambition to build a regional network of professional services support hubs.
The move affirms Singapore’s position as a trusted regional partner for high-quality professional services and reflects the city-state’s evolving role as both an investor and facilitator of Asia-wide business growth.
Business News Asia