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IN THIS EXPLAINER, FIND OUT…
What is the Singapore Global Network (SGN)?
Why was the SGN created?
What does the SGN do, and what is the impact of its programmes?
Introduction
Occasionally being namedropped at career events or appearing in event sign-up forms, the name “Singapore Global Network” (SGN) is no stranger to Singaporean students studying abroad. Despite it celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, most Singaporeans likely may not know what this network does, or why it exists at all. This Policy Explainer will explore what the SGN is, what it does, and how it supports Singapore’s long-term economic goals.
What Is The Singapore Global Network?
The SGN is an initiative by the Economic Development Board (EDB) to create a community of overseas Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans interested in Singapore. Founded in June 2019, its goal is to leverage its community to create opportunities for its members and Singapore more broadly.
The SGN does this by organising and supporting events. For example, it supports National Day celebrations overseas in cities like London, New York, and Shanghai. It also creates an online network of Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans interested in Singapore's economic opportunities, allowing members to communicate with like-minded individuals easily.
The SGN’s reach also supports its mission. As illustrated by the map of the SGN’s members, the network is located in several major cities across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Some locations are home to many overseas Singaporeans, such as Australia, China and the United Kingdom (UK). The SGN’s broad reach facilitates the spread of ideas and opportunities across the network. It also ensures that members almost always have someone to reach out to if they want to know more about another country's economic and social situation.
Predecessors to the SGN
Prior to the formation of the SGN, the Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU) oversaw the Singapore Government’s engagements with Singaporean communities overseas. The OSU, founded in 2006 under the Prime Minister’s Office, was formed to maintain the connections overseas Singaporeans had with Singapore and each other.
The OSU did this through professional events, like the Singapore Speaker Series which invited government and business leaders to speak to overseas Singaporeans. OSU also organised social events like Singapore Day celebrations. Furthermore, the unit provided overseas Singaporeans with resources to remain connected, like sharing e-zines with job opportunities and updates about the education sector in Singapore.
In 2019, the OSU was subsumed by the EDB and became part of the SGN. In addition to engaging overseas Singaporeans, the newly-formed SGN also had the role of building a network of non-Singaporeans interested in Singapore — “friends and fans” of Singapore.
Why Was The SGN Created?
The SGN's stated mission is to “build a global community with Singapore at its heart … whether you are Singaporean, someone who has worked or lived in Singapore, or simply interested in exploring opportunities here”.” This section will unpack why the SGN pursues this goal of engaging both Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans.
The Necessity of Engaging Overseas Singaporeans
The issue of maintaining overseas Singaporeans’ connection with Singapore is a perennial one. In 2006, then-Minister for Manpower, Dr Ng Eng Hen, addressed the need to inform overseas Singaporeans of opportunities back home so that they could potentially return to Singapore. In 2007, the first “Singapore Day” celebration was held in New York City, showcasing Singaporean food and entertainment.
There are several reasons why there has been a consistent effort to maintain links between Singapore and Singaporeans abroad. Crucially, these engagements are driven by the need to retain local talent. With a small population and low fertility rates, the risk of Singapore suffering a “brain drain” is present. At the same time, there is a recognition that Singaporeans who have lived and worked abroad have unique insights they can contribute to the local economy and workforce. As a result, the SGN highlights opportunities in Singapore so that Singaporeans abroad are incentivised to return and have an easier time transitioning back to living in Singapore.
A 2023 poll found that 82 per cent of overseas Singaporeans were interested in returning to Singapore. Many cite family, Singapore’s stability, and emerging professional opportunities as motivating factors. This statistic highlights the need for overseas Singaporeans to be informed of opportunities back home.
Besides attracting some back home, the SGN helps overseas Singaporeans resettle in Singapore more easily. Overseas Singaporeans who move back for reasons unrelated to their career still need job or educational opportunities. The SGN is a valuable way for them to stay informed, reducing the challenges faced when moving back. Furthermore, in another survey of overseas Singaporeans, 50 per cent of respondents expressed that career-related issues would hinder their ability to move back home. This highlights the importance of keeping Singaporeans abroad informed of prospects in Singapore, and the SGN is a key part of achieving this.
However, the engagement of Singaporeans abroad is beneficial regardless of whether they return to Singapore. The SGN provides resources on Singaporean communities abroad, linking those planning to move abroad to Singaporean groups in their respective countries. This serves the purpose of building connections within the Singaporean diaspora. By facilitating these networks, Singaporeans seeking to enter and work in other economies can leverage existing communities to advance their professional and educational interests.
The Necessity of Engaging Non-Singaporeans
The SGN website features stories from a diverse group of professionals who have moved to Singapore, showcasing why they were attracted here. A key difference between the SGN and past initiatives like the OSU is its efforts to engage non-Singaporeans. This shift could be attributed to the potential benefit foreign professionals and entrepreneurs could bring to the Singaporean economy, especially in key sectors like technology and finance.
Businesses in Singapore have expressed concerns about the lack of local talent to fill roles, especially for certain specialised roles. As a result, there is a need to attract niche talent from other nations. In addition to manpower demands, the SGN’s efforts to court entrepreneurs are likely aimed at creating job opportunities in Singapore. To this end, the SGN partners with foreign Chambers of Commerce like Eurocham Singapore, to encourage the flow of foreign entrepreneurs into Singapore. Furthermore, SGN’s partners in the private sector include several multinational companies like Meta and Grab. These partnerships also help attract talented foreign individuals to Singapore, as these companies advertise internships and jobs on SGN’s website.
What Does The SGN Do?
Beyond online resources, the SGN has employed various methods to grow its network. This section will explore the SGN’s main mechanisms to engage both Singaporeans living overseas and non-Singaporeans interested in living and working in Singapore.
Singapore Global Network Funding Programme (SGNFP)
The Singapore Global Network Funding Programme (SGNFP) supports efforts to promote connections to Singapore or Singaporeans. Those who successfully apply for funding can recoup up to 80 per cent of costs. Between August 2020 and December 2022, S$570,000 was dispersed through this programme to support forums, networking sessions, and festive celebrations, among other events and initiatives (see Figure 2).
The SGNFP helps to fund communities of Singaporeans abroad who are organising events and starting initiatives. By supporting a variety of events, the SGN allows for organic settings where Singaporeans living abroad can connect. Social and recreational events, like those pictured above, allow Singaporeans abroad to bond over shared interests.
SGN Events
In addition to the events it supports through the SGNFP, the SGN also co-hosts a number of events. One example is the “Coffee Conversation” series. Held in a number of countries, these events spotlight certain industries and facilitate the building of professional networks. Thus far, panels on clean energy in Thailand and start-ups in Indonesia have taken place, highlighting the diverse reach of the SGN’s professional network.
Holding these events in Singapore and overseas allows for both Singaporeans living within Singapore and abroad to benefit from the networking opportunities. Events abroad also strengthens Singapore’s position as a hub for business in the eyes of non-Singaporeans.
SGN Community Platform
One can register for a free SGN member to access the SGN Community Platform. The platform functions as a portal where members can access information about events in and outside Singapore. It also connects members to relevant community groups and allows members to reach out to other SGN members. With a membership estimated at around 130,000 people, an SGN membership could be desirable for those seeking a professional community to leverage.
There have also been attempts to build a community through mentorship on the Singapore Community Platform. The SGN Kakis Abroad initiative allows new members to be paired with mentors to receive advice on relocating abroad.
Overall, these initiatives help the SGN to cultivate professional and social networks among Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans alike.
Impact Of The SGN’S Programmes
Events Funded Through the SGNFP
Events supported by the SGNFP serve as a valuable platform for non-Singaporeans to learn about Singaporean culture. Non-Singaporeans who get involved in such events may learn about important aspects of Singaporean food and life, thus bridging the gap between cultures and strengthening Singapore’s cultural impact on the global stage.
However, it may be difficult for SGN to determine if SGNFP funding actually achieves the SGN’s goal of fostering networks with Singapore at its heart. This concern was raised in Parliament in 2023. Nevertheless, such funding has made it easier for overseas Singaporeans to organise reunions or celebrations, especially for Singaporean students abroad. Therefore, it is likely that the SGNFP has supported opportunities for encouraging ties among Singaporean communities abroad.
Impact of the SGN Community Platform
Even though the SGN community platform does provide a space for users to contact and network with each other, it is somewhat limited. Crucially, only a small percentage of overseas Singaporeans use this platform for social reasons. For example, the SGN Community Platform’s “Singaporeans in the United Kingdom” group has 671 members, compared to the estimated 40,000 Singaporeans residing in the UK. It seems unlikely that this platform will supplant other social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, where Singaporeans overseas typically connect. That said, it is unlikely that the SGN Community Platform seeks to supplant traditional social media platforms. Rather, it may be acting as a complement to them. This is evidenced by the directory of Facebook groups featured on SGN’s website, which offers various options for overseas Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans to connect beyond the SGN Community Platform. However, this may raise the question of how the SGN Community Platform benefits overseas Singaporeans seeking community. The main benefits are likely felt most by professionals who can leverage the SGN membership to grow their networks. This is especially so for non-Singaporeans moving to Singapore, as the platform offers numerous guides about living, working, and setting up a business in Singapore.
Conclusion
Overall, the SGN is an important avenue by which Singaporeans abroad can remain connected to food, culture, and opportunities back home. It helps overseas Singaporeans build communities abroad and helps them find a way back home if they choose to return.
Beyond that, the SGN is also building a network of non-Singaporeans looking towards opportunities and living in Singapore. This network will likely ensure that Singapore can maintain its standing as a good place to do business, and attract fresh talent to boost its workforce.
This Policy Explainer was written by members of MAJU. MAJU is a ground-up, fully youth-led organisation dedicated to empowering Singaporean youths in policy discourse and co-creation.
By promoting constructive dialogue and serving as a bridge between youths and the Government, we hope to drive the keMAJUan (progress!) of Singapore.
The citations to our Policy Explainers can be found in the PDF appended to this webpage.
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