Bengaluru, November 15, 2025 – In a landmark push to deepen economic synergies between Asia's tech powerhouses, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) inaugurated its fourth Singapore Enterprise Centre (SEC) here on Friday, marking the first such hub outside Southeast Asia. Dubbed SEC@Bengaluru, the facility is poised to serve as a gateway for Singapore firms—especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—tapping into India's booming $3.9 trillion economy, with ambitions to facilitate over $1 billion in cross-border deals within three years.
The centre, launched under the GlobalConnect@SBF initiative—a joint effort by SBF and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG)—will offer one-stop advisory services, networking events, and business matchmaking to help Singapore companies "learn, land, and localise" in the world's fastest-growing major economy. Bengaluru, often hailed as India's Silicon Valley, was chosen for its vibrant startup ecosystem and proximity to global tech giants, aligning with India's projected 6.6% GDP growth this year and its status as Singapore's top foreign direct investment (FDI) source for seven straight years.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at a swanky co-working space in the city's Electronics City hub drew high-profile dignitaries, including Singapore's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, Ms. Gan Siow Huang; India's Minister for Labour and Employment and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Ms. Shobha Karandlaje; and Karnataka's Minister for Electronics, IT & Biotechnology and Rural Development, Mr. Priyank M. Kharge. Their presence underscored the bilateral momentum, with trade between the two nations hitting S$36 billion (about $27 billion) last year, driven by sectors like IT, fintech, and renewables.
"This opening is a game-changer," said Mr. Kok Ping Soon, CEO of SBF, addressing a room packed with diplomats, entrepreneurs, and chamber officials. "From startups to large corporations, SEC@Bengaluru will be their single point of contact to explore India's vibrant market—whether it's navigating regulations or forging partnerships in advanced manufacturing and urban solutions." He highlighted plans to engage more than 470 enterprises over the next two years through targeted trade missions, industry seminars, and market immersion programs.
Echoing the optimism, Mr. Tan Soon Kim, Deputy Managing Director for Markets at EnterpriseSG, emphasized India's untapped potential: "With opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, and digital innovation, this centre complements our drive to embed Singapore companies in India's growth story." The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment, as Singapore firms eye "Make in India" and "Digital India" campaigns amid easing post-pandemic supply chains and a stabilizing rupee.
Adding to the day's highlights, SBF inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Singapore's LAC Global Pte Ltd and Bengaluru-based JVKM India (Mitraa Wellness) to blend Singapore's science-backed formulations with India's Ayurvedic traditions in health and wellness products. The pact, witnessed by the ministers, signals early wins in collaborative innovation.
The launch also unveiled the SBF-India Business Committee (SBF-IBC), chaired by Mr. Prasoon Mukherjee, Chairman of Universal Success Enterprises Ltd. "This committee will bridge our business communities with trusted partnerships and real-time intelligence, transforming visions into tangible successes," Mukherjee stated, vowing to prioritize sectors like logistics and e-commerce.
Backed by a consortium of corporate partners—including HSBC for banking, In.Corp Advisory for incorporations, and Black Mountain for HR services—the centre is expected to catalyze job creation and tech transfers. Karnataka's Mr. Kharge lauded the move as a "testament to Bengaluru's global appeal," pledging state incentives like streamlined approvals for Singapore investments.
As India-Singapore ties evolve under a revamped Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), analysts predict SEC@Bengaluru could double bilateral SME engagements by 2027. With SBF's network spanning 32,000 members across industries, the hub positions itself not just as a facilitator, but as a catalyst for sustainable, tech-driven growth in the Indo-Pacific.
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