SMU Vice President (Business Development & External Relations) Associate Professor Annie Koh discussed the merits of Singapore as a hub for expansion into booming Asia and said that family-owned businesses from both Germany and Asia will benefit from closer ties with each other. “German technology and R&D are very much respected and admired and Asia's growing markets with a young population in many parts of South-East Asia are naturally attractive for expansion for many of Germany's silent champions. Many of the family-owned businesses in Singapore have seized opportunities by actively venturing abroad, making Asian and South-East Asian countries their wider base for business. They have successfully internationalised business operations, headquartered in Singapore and so this makes Singapore an ideal hub for German business owners looking to penetrate other Asian markets. Business in Singapore also has very strong Government support. The government plays key roles in developing human capital, providing world class infrastructure and attractive tax schemes,” commented Prof Koh.