After years of courting big businesses, Singapore is attracting international non-profit groups such as United Nations agencies and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The number setting up here has doubled to more than 60 since 2005, with about 10 arriving over the past year.
The number setting up here has doubled to more than 60 since 2005, with about 10 arriving over the past year.
They include Operation Smile, a medical group that helps children with facial deformities such as cleft palates, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (Case), a group for professionals in communications, fund-raising, marketing and other fields.
Their causes range from fighting poverty and injustice (World Vision International), to offering consultancy services on philanthropy (Centre for Asian Philanthropy), and conservation (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Their causes range from fighting poverty and injustice (World Vision International), to offering consultancy services on philanthropy (Centre for Asian Philanthropy), and conservation (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Singapore is attractive to such groups because of its location, excellent infrastructure and large number of multinational companies (MNCs) based here.
The WWF, for instance, said the presence of thousands of MNCs here puts the organisation 'in a unique position to influence corporations and their sustainability practices'.
Said Mr Gary Loh, chairman of Operation Smile Singapore: 'Singapore has more than money to give. We have very strong medical expertise and facilities.'
The WWF, for instance, said the presence of thousands of MNCs here puts the organisation 'in a unique position to influence corporations and their sustainability practices'.
Said Mr Gary Loh, chairman of Operation Smile Singapore: 'Singapore has more than money to give. We have very strong medical expertise and facilities.'
To draw even more such groups, a one-stop office comprising different government agencies and led by the Economic Development Board was set up in February. Singapore also offers incentives such as tax exemptions.
The Government's push to woo these groups marks a change from the past when Singapore 'didn't know what to do with such groups', said EDB's director of new business group, Mr Jonathan Kua.
'It's not like we didn't welcome such organisations back then, but they were not our focus,' he said.
This changed as Singapore's focus on practical economic considerations widened in recent years.
'Our main goal in attracting such groups is not economic,' said Mr Kua. 'We want credibility as a world-class city. And as we develop, it's always the intangibles like quality of life, arts and civil society that attract people.'
Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of the National Kidney Foundation, said local charities will be able to learn from the international groups' global experience and best practices.
'It's not like we didn't welcome such organisations back then, but they were not our focus,' he said.
This changed as Singapore's focus on practical economic considerations widened in recent years.
'Our main goal in attracting such groups is not economic,' said Mr Kua. 'We want credibility as a world-class city. And as we develop, it's always the intangibles like quality of life, arts and civil society that attract people.'
Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of the National Kidney Foundation, said local charities will be able to learn from the international groups' global experience and best practices.
But there are direct benefits for Singaporeans as more such groups arrive - more jobs, for one.
The EDB hopes to attract at least 150 such groups by 2015, and that will create 2,500 jobs.
There will also be indirect spin-offs for the economy, such as spending by people who attend meetings organised here by these groups.
When asked about the fiery brand of activism that some groups are known for, Mr Kua said: 'The NGOs that come here are very practical, so we are not too worried about activism.'
The EDB hopes to attract at least 150 such groups by 2015, and that will create 2,500 jobs.
There will also be indirect spin-offs for the economy, such as spending by people who attend meetings organised here by these groups.
When asked about the fiery brand of activism that some groups are known for, Mr Kua said: 'The NGOs that come here are very practical, so we are not too worried about activism.'
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