Singapore, an independent republic and a city state, is the world's second busiest and the largest port in S.E. Asia.

The basis of Singapore's prosperity is its (1) entrepot trade, electronic industries, chemicals and mineral oil processing trade; (2) financial services; (3) research and development services, in particular in aviation and bio-medical sciences. It is the third largest oil-refining center in the world. Industries include shipbuilding, oil-rig construction, electronics, precision machinery, medical equipment, automotive and aircraft components. It is a large servicing center for ship and aircraft repairing, banking, trading, consultancy, education and medical services. Singapore is the largest financial center for S.E. Asia.