Gan Kim Yong hails opening of EnterpriseSG centre in Texas to help S’pore companies expand in US

Enterprise Singapore has opened a new overseas centre in Austin, Texas, to support Singapore companies seeking to expand in the United States, marking its first non-coastal presence in the country.

The new Austin Overseas Centre was officially launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade & Industry Gan Kim Yong during his visit to the U.S.

The Austin office is Enterprise Singapore’s fourth overseas centre in the U.S., complementing its existing offices in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and is intended to help more Singapore companies tap opportunities in Texas and across the wider U.S.

It is also expected to support Texas companies seeking to grow in Asia, using Singapore as a gateway.

Texas seen as strategic growth market

In a speech at the launch on Monday (Apr. 13, Singapore time), Gan said the new centre reflects Singapore’s confidence in Texas and Austin as a gateway to new economic opportunities.

He described Texas as a strategic partner whose strengths align with Singapore’s economic priorities.

Gan said the centre “will serve as a bridge”, while also facilitating partnerships in areas where both sides have complementary strengths such as energy, manufacturing and technology.

Gan noted:

“Texas is a leader in energy – from oil and gas to LNG, it plays a key role in powering the world.

“Cities like Austin are becoming hubs for next-generation manufacturing and engineering.”

He added that Singapore could work with Texas by combining the state’s scale with Singapore’s strengths in integrating capabilities and bringing ideas to market.

Growing Singapore business presence in U.S.

While in Austin, Gan also met the Governor of Texas Greg Abbott, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, Economic Development and Tourism Office executive director Adriana Cruz, and Mayor of Austin Kirk Watson to discuss economic cooperation opportunities.

He also held a roundtable with Enterprise Singapore’s key multipliers before launching the centre.

Gan said more than 250 Singapore companies currently operate across the U.S., with many already present in Texas, and that Singapore’s investments in the U.S. support over 350,000 jobs.

He added:

"The U.S. has also enjoyed a consistent trade surplus with Singapore for more than two decades, reaching over US$33 billion (S$42 million) last year."

He cited examples such as ST Engineering, which has an aerospace facility in San Antonio and more than 5,000 employees in the U.S., as well as PSA BDP, which operates a logistics facility in Houston supporting industrial and energy-related cargo flows.

Gan said that in a more uncertain world, “trusted partnerships are a source of strength”, and reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to building a partnership that is “more dynamic, more innovative, and more resilient”.

Top photo via MDDI