When will the Trade Mission take place?
The registration process is ongoing. Based on past trade missions, we expect 6-10 Curaçao companies to participate.
The dates are set between May 11th to May 20th, 2023.
Curaçao meets Asia for the Business of Innovation
The trade mission ‘Curaçao meets Asia for the Business of Innovation ’ from Willemstad to Singapore aims at inviting Curaçao-based entrepreneurs and business leaders to participate in the BFSI IT Summit Southeast Asia and the World CX Summit. There is also a possibility to visit the ‘The Business of Innovation, Annual Meeting in Singapore and participate in the Curaçao Booth at the Market Place taking place that week.
Smart Cities
The vision for a digital-first Singapore is one where a Digital Government, Digital Economy, and Digital Society harness technology to effect transformation in health, transport, urban living, government services, and businesses.
Education
Education technology (edtech) is a rapidly growing field globally. In recent years, the Singapore government has gone all out to promote life-long learning, which supports the Smart Nation vision and getting current students to be skills-ready for the future economy.
Fintech Industry
The financial technology (fintech) sector in Singapore has enjoyed strong support and growth in the last five years. Fintech companies help increase the efficiency and accountability of core financial service offerings.
Sustainability Energy, Water
To achieve net zero emissions by 2050 Singapore is harnessing four Switches – natural gas, solar, regional power grids and low-carbon alternatives – to transform its energy supply, while promoting energy efficiency to reduce demand.
ICT, Smart Solutions, and Open Data
The government aims to translate research and development (R&D) into market-ready solutions by 2025 through their Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) plans which began in 1991.
Trade
Singapore is a regional heavyweight both for imports and exports.The top three export and import commodities sections are machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and chemical products and miscellaneous manufactured articles.
Conferences
Curaçao-based entrepreneurs and business leaders are invited to participate in the BFSI IT Summit Southeast Asia and the World CX Summit. There is also a possibility to visit the INTA Annual Meeting in Singapore and participate in the Curaçao Booth at the Market Place taking place that week.
World CX Summit
Customer Experience SummitA NEW ERA IN CX: DRIVING BUSINESS GROWTH
A gathering of leaders in technology, customer experience, and digital transformation with the mission of re-imagining, re-engineering and re-inventing the way businesses approach customer experience.
World CX Summit
Customer Experience Summit
BFSI IT SUMMIT
Innovation & Technology SummitTech meets BFSI in asia's financial centre.
The Summit will feature enterprise use-cases, keynotes, panel discussions, tech-talks, fireside chats and more, from thought leaders who are actively shaping the tech industry.
BFSI IT SUMMIT
Innovation & Technology Summit
INTA Annual Meeting 2023
World's largest IP networking event!The focus is on the business of innovation, exploring the implications for IP and looking ahead to the future. Innovation
From IP in outer space to AI and NFTs, explore what the latest advances in technology could mean for brands in the future.
Business of Brands
Learn how brands can adapt and thrive in today's constantly evolving environment.
INTA Annual Meeting 2023
World's largest IP networking event!
BFSI Summit
The Summit will feature enterprise use-cases, keynotes, panel discussions, tech-talks, fireside chats and more, from thought leaders who are actively shaping the tech industry.
HMS
Explore Singapore
See the best of Singapore. Visit iconic landmarks like the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, and the Merlion.
07:00 PM
Group Dinner
Group Networking Dinner
Trade Mission begins
Explore the business side of Singapore
TBC
Session on doing business in Singapore
TBC
Visit to the Dutch Chamber to receive information on doing business in Singapore especially for Dutch companies.
10:00 AM -18:00 PM
Innovation Hub Visits
TBC
Microsoft, IBM, MasterCard, CITI, KPMG Village & Expedia
09:00 AM -17:00 PM
World CX Summit Day 1
Program TBC
09:00 AM -17:00 PM
World CX Summit Day 2
Program TBC
15:00 PM -21:00 PM
Closing Event at Universal Studios
Program TBC
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the FAQs to find the answers to common questions. Can't find your question answered here? Contact us.
What are the registration rates?
You must pay the trade mission participation fee of $5,500* to HMS Curaçao at the time of registration. The participation fee includes the following:
- Visits to innovation labs for courses, seminars & briefings (Microsoft, IBM, MasterCard, Expedia)
- Briefings on “Doing Business in Singapore”
- Your HMS Trade Mission Leader and in-country consultant on hand during the week to ensure everything runs to plan
- Events (network & dinner), Excursions & all group transfers
- Entrance to World CX Summit and the Universal Closing Event.
What is not included in the participation fee?
Additional estimated costs you will incur include(but are not limited to):
| Expense | Estimated amount ($) |
| Roundtrip airfare from Curaçao Singpaore to Curaçao, Business Class (Qatar Airways / Singapore Airlines) | $ 5,600 |
| Roundtrip airfare from Curaçao Singpaore to Curaçao, Business Class (Qatar Airways / Singapore Airlines ) | $ 2,450 |
| Hotel – Singapore (9 nights) (Marriott) | $ 1,500 |
| Travel Insurance – Asiawith 50% vaccination discount | $ 200 |
| Meals | $ 750 |
Am I eligible for the RVO Subsidy?
With the SIB Collectieve Activiteit subsidy, you can participate in a trade mission or exhibition in a specific country together with other companies. This allows you to promote your product or service to potential customers in your target country.
SIB Collective activity is part of the Support International Business (SIB) scheme. With this scheme, you can (partially) finance various activities in international business.
This trip is registered with International Ondernemen and gives the opportunity to qualify for a mission voucher.
- Mission voucher RVO (Rijksdienst Voor Ondernemend Nederland)
Companies can request a mission voucher from the RVO for this trip, with which costs up to a maximum of € 2,500.00 can be reimbursed.
The subsidy amounts to 50% of the costs, up to a maximum of:
€ 1,500 if you participate in a trade mission;
€ 2,500 if you participate in a collectieve beursinzending.
SME’s in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom with their own product or service can use this subsidy.
For more information, please contact us or visit the website of the RVO,
www.rvo.nl/subsidies-regelingen/missievouchers-sib
How will I get to my meetings?
Singapore – We will provide group transportation to the Marina Bay Sands which will likely serve as the venue for your B2B meetings. Should the group meetings be an off-site meeting, we will arrange for local transportation.
- Note: charges for ground transportation, such as car rental (with or without a driver) and for off-site meetings not in the program will be the responsibility of each mission participant.
How are airline and hotel reservations handled?
Airline tickets: You book (and pay for) your own airline ticket via a local travel agent or online air travel website. If you do not have a travel agent, the Trade Mission Leader can recommend one for you.
Hotels: We will select the hotels and, if possible, arrange for blocks of rooms. For efficiency and security, all participants must stay in the same designated hotel in each city.
Participants will be responsible for making their own hotel reservations by using a group code provided by the Trade Mission Leader (if a block rate is available). You will pay all hotel room charges directly to the hotel.
How can I verify that Singapore is a good market for my company before I register for the trade mission?
Contact one of our International Trade Managers or the Trade Mission Leader (see next page) immediately! We only want you to make the trip if we think there is good market potential in Singapore for your company.
We can recommend or perform exploratory market research within a short period of time to verify the market potential for you. (*Additional costs apply / RVO Vouchers applicable.
Will I need an interpreter?
No. A translator is not necessary in Singapore as English is the widely spoken language of business.
What are the entry requirements for Singapore?
Dutch passport holder: A valid passport is required with 6 months validity remaining. Dutch citizens do not need a visa if they are traveling to Singapore for tourism for up to 90 days. However, all visitors entering the city-state must have the Singapore Arrival Card.
Key Information for Travelers to Singapore
- Make sure you have travel insurance with Covid -19 coverage before traveling to Singapore.
- All travelers aged 13 and above may enter Singapore as per normal without testing or quarantine, only if they have taken the minimum WHO-EUL vaccine dosage listed below at least two weeks before arrival in Singapore, and can show proof of vaccination
- Unvaccinated travelers should be aware that extra PCR tests are required for entrance to the country.