A
Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA)
Agency responsible for ensuring the safety of primary foods and protecting the health of people, animals, fish and plants.
www.ava.gov.sg
Agency responsible for ensuring the safety of primary foods and protecting the health of people, animals, fish and plants.
www.ava.gov.sg
B
Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
Agency aims to develop a technologically advanced and competitive construction industry to serve Singapore's economic needs.
www.bca.gov.sg
Agency aims to develop a technologically advanced and competitive construction industry to serve Singapore's economic needs.
www.bca.gov.sg
Board of Architects
Statutory authority established to administer the Architects Act in Singapore. The act sets out provisions for the registration of architects, the regulation of architectural qualifications and services.
www.boa.gov.sg
Statutory authority established to administer the Architects Act in Singapore. The act sets out provisions for the registration of architects, the regulation of architectural qualifications and services.
www.boa.gov.sg
C
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Official site of Singapore Airport, with an airlines directory, flight information and travel information.
www.changi.airport.com.sg
Official site of Singapore Airport, with an airlines directory, flight information and travel information.
www.changi.airport.com.sg
Commercial and Industrial Security Corp. of Singapore
Provider of customized security solutions.
www.cisco.com.sg
Provider of customized security solutions.
www.cisco.com.sg
D
Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA)
Provider of technological and engineering support for the defense and security needs of Singapore.
www.dsta.gov.sg
Provider of technological and engineering support for the defense and security needs of Singapore.
www.dsta.gov.sg
H
Hindu Endowments Board (HEB)
Administers four temples in Singapore and their endowments.
www.heb.gov.sg
Administers four temples in Singapore and their endowments.
www.heb.gov.sg
I
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS)
Acts as an agent of the government and provides services in administering, assessing, collecting and enforcing payment of taxes.
www.iras.gov.sg
Acts as an agent of the government and provides services in administering, assessing, collecting and enforcing payment of taxes.
www.iras.gov.sg
J
M
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
Singapore's central bank conducts monetary and exchange rate policies and manages official foreign reserves and government securities.
www.mas.gov.sg
Singapore's central bank conducts monetary and exchange rate policies and manages official foreign reserves and government securities.
www.mas.gov.sg
Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprise (SCORE)
Responsible for the rehabilitation of drug abusers.
www.mha.gov.sg
Responsible for the rehabilitation of drug abusers.
www.mha.gov.sg
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Multinational shipment hub linked by a variety of shipping lines to worldwide ports.
www.mpa.gov.sg
Multinational shipment hub linked by a variety of shipping lines to worldwide ports.
www.mpa.gov.sg
Majlis Ugam a Islam Singapura (MUIS)
Agency fulfills its roles as the supreme Islamic authority of Singapore to guide in the building of a Muslim community.
www.muis.gov.sg
Agency fulfills its roles as the supreme Islamic authority of Singapore to guide in the building of a Muslim community.
www.muis.gov.sg
N
National Arts Council
Statutory board spearheading the development of the arts in Singapore.
www.nac.gov.sg
Statutory board spearheading the development of the arts in Singapore.
www.nac.gov.sg
National Council of Social Service (NCSS)
Provider, developer and promoter of social services and encourage voluntary work to meet the needs of the community.
www.ncss.org.sg
Provider, developer and promoter of social services and encourage voluntary work to meet the needs of the community.
www.ncss.org.sg
National Parks Board
Agency plans, develops, maintains and regulates the parks and greenery provisions of Singapore to achieve an environment unique among major tropical nations.
www.nparks.gov.sg
Agency plans, develops, maintains and regulates the parks and greenery provisions of Singapore to achieve an environment unique among major tropical nations.
www.nparks.gov.sg
Nanyang Polytechnic
Provider of education and training to prepare graduate students for life and work.
www.nyp.edu.sg
Provider of education and training to prepare graduate students for life and work.
www.nyp.edu.sg
P
People's Association
Organization promoting active citizenship and multiracial harmony and provide affordable access to skill and lifestyle activities.
www.pa.gov.sg
Organization promoting active citizenship and multiracial harmony and provide affordable access to skill and lifestyle activities.
www.pa.gov.sg
S
Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB)
Organization aims to develop Singapore into a knowledge-driven industry through manufacturing and service sectors with a strong emphasis on technology, innovation and capabilities.
www.sedb.com.sg
Organization aims to develop Singapore into a knowledge-driven industry through manufacturing and service sectors with a strong emphasis on technology, innovation and capabilities.
www.sedb.com.sg
SPRING Singapore
National authority on metrology, productivity and standards, providing awards, certifications and regulatory approvals.
www.spring.gov.sg
National authority on metrology, productivity and standards, providing awards, certifications and regulatory approvals.
www.spring.gov.sg
Singapore Sports Council
Promoter of participation in sports and fitness activities by identifying, cultivating and nurturing athletes.
www.ssc.gov.sg
Promoter of participation in sports and fitness activities by identifying, cultivating and nurturing athletes.
www.ssc.gov.sg
Singapore Tourism Board
Provider of services to attract tourism by offering an integrated tourism experience linked to regional development.
www.stb.com.sg
Provider of services to attract tourism by offering an integrated tourism experience linked to regional development.
www.stb.com.sg
U
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Singapore's national planning authority responsible for physical development through long-term land use planning, public housing, public works, urban redevelopment and parks and recreation.
www.ura.gov.sg
Singapore's national planning authority responsible for physical development through long-term land use planning, public housing, public works, urban redevelopment and parks and recreation.
www.ura.gov.sg
If your firm does business in Singapore or is planning to do so, it's imperative to know about pertinent Singapore statutory boards. There are 83 statutory boards. A unique element of Singapore's government, each board is an autonomous government agency. Statutory boards in Singapore were established under the Singapore Statutory Act of Parliament. Each board has a specified purpose with enumerated rights and powers.
Singapore statutory boards stretch back in history at least to 1960, when the Housing and Development Board was created to build and manage low-cost housing. Since then dozens of Singapore government statutory boards have been empowered. Take the time to review the list of statutes and boards to identify the ones of interest. Then, to learn the Singapore statutory boards basics, take the following steps:
1. Learn the specifics about Singapore statutory authority.
2. Identify the statutory boards in Singapore that apply to your business.
3. Make note of the Singapore statutory board listings available online.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Learn about Singapore statutory authority
It's a good idea to learn about the statutory act in Singapore that applies to your business as well as general information about Singapore statutory boards. Review the print and online sources that provide a history of the statutory authority, links to British Parliamentary law and the statutes themselves.
I recommend: A good place to start your company's education about Singapore statutory boards basics is the book "Accountability and Control of Public Enterprises." Chapter 19 details the Singapore statutory act and boards. Then read the detailed information provided by Mongabay. It gives the history and motivation behind the statutory acts and boards.
Contact the ministries and statutory boards of Singapore
If your company has business interests in Singapore, note that several ministries and statutory boards focus on economic development and trade. Two to check into first are the Economic Development Board and the Monetary Board. Both impact business relations and development.
I recommend: Touch base with the Economic Development Board. It oversees business development, especially focusing on "knowledge-driven industries" such as technology and innovative manufacturing. Contact the Monetary Authority, which manages foreign reserves and government securities, with questions about currency and finances.
Check with applicable Singapore government statutory boards
Your business might benefit from information about one Singapore government statutory board or several. Check the actual statutes or review summaries of board jurisdictions to determine their scopes. At the least, your team should have knowledge of general guidelines, such as tax and shipping information, as well as those for your specific business category, such as construction or health care.
I recommend: For specific wording and inclusions about a particular statutory board, visit Singapore Statutes Online. One important board is the Inland Revenue Authority. It manages Singapore's property tax assessments for foreign entities as well as local property owners.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Some boards and ministries oversee other boards. If you don't find the Singapore statutory board you're looking for, check under other logical boards. For example, the Board of Architects falls under the Ministry of National Development.
