2018 Reports

Singapore: Downstream linkages

Toledano, Perrine; Maennling, Nicolas Wolfram

Singapore’s development since the 1960s has relied heavily on an export-led economic strategy supported by dedicated institutions providing guidance, fiscal incentives and a thriving financial and logistics sector. With little reserves of crude oil, the country has leveraged its unique geographical position as the gateway to Asian markets with world-class port infrastructure. It has attracted a number of large-scale oil refineries and petrochemical industries clustered in an export processing zone, making it the petroleum trading hub of the region.

Building on Royal Dutch Shell’s initiative to set up a refinery to exploit the Asian market and taking advantage of its port facilities and strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region, the government implemented an export-driven industrial policy centred around refined oil products. The success over the years has been sustained thanks to the strong fuel consumption trends in rapidly growing Asian economies. Recognizing a shift in the region’s product demand trends, the government has moved further downstream by developing the petrochemicals sector.