Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) has inaugurated its third U.S. office in San Francisco, aiming to support Singaporean companies seeking to tap into the innovation ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay Area. The office was officially launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on November 14, 2023, during his six-day working visit to the United States for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Prime Minister Lee emphasized that the new San Francisco Overseas Centre signifies a significant enhancement of Singapore’s engagement on the U.S. West Coast. He expressed gratitude to both the U.S. government and California state officials for their support. The Prime Minister highlighted the strong bilateral economic relationship between Singapore and the U.S., noting collaborations across various sectors, including biomedical, food manufacturing, and transportation.

The Bay Area has become an essential hub for Singaporean startups, facilitating connections with strategic partners that can propel them onto the global stage. “We enjoy a good level of cooperation today, but I’m confident it can be even better,” PM Lee remarked, noting the complexities of the global economic landscape where strategic and security concerns often overshadow free trade and economic welfare.

EnterpriseSG’s San Francisco office is part of its broader strategy to help Singaporean companies navigate and expand within the U.S. market. The agency now operates 37 overseas centers in 23 countries, with existing offices in New York and Los Angeles. The San Francisco location was chosen for its rich innovation ecosystem, which many Singapore firms are already leveraging to access technology, talent, and capital.

EnterpriseSG’s chief executive, Lee Chuan Teck, noted that the new office will extend beyond innovation support to include sectors like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and logistics. The demand for Singapore’s advanced manufacturing exports to the U.S. has been on the rise, further increasing the opportunities for collaboration.

During his visit to Silicon Valley, PM Lee also met with leaders from major technology firms, including Apple and Google. At Apple Park, he and CEO Tim Cook discussed the strong partnership between Apple and Singapore. At Googleplex, he received updates on the company’s advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies.

In the evening, PM Lee engaged with about 500 overseas Singaporeans living in the Bay Area, underscoring the historical ties and mutual benefits of the U.S.-Singapore relationship. He encouraged them to showcase the capabilities of Singaporeans while maintaining connections with their home country.