Singapore is Asia’s most attractive business hub, scoring 2nd worldwide just behind USA on this year’s Innovator’s Business Environment Index, that ranks countries with the best business environments worldwide. With an aggressive trade environment, consistently exceeding 300% on its GDP-to-trade ratio, Singapore is also the gateway where most businesses would set up in as a strategic launchpad for expansion ventures into and beyond Southeast Asia.
As businesses build foothold within the country, the question that naturally follows is where to next?
Diversifying Investment Portfolios
Ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions have created a ripple effect through boardrooms and strategic meetings. Businesses are now increasingly rethinking overreliance on a single market and are considering diversification as a means to remain resilient. The shift is accelerating the interest in high-growth, developing markets.
Worth noting is South Asia’s potential with highly developing countries operating on cheaper labor, utility and company registration costs.
South Asia: The Region’s Growth Anchor
India and its neighbors in South Asia become a promising hub for business expansion and often serve as alternative risk diversification markets, fitting for a China Plus One (C+1) strategy. Known for its relatively cheaper and younger labor force alongside a world-leading public digital infrastructure, businesses and investors can secure a strategic, diversified foothold that can build better risk resilience.
India
India’s business landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by a combination of demographic advantages, strategic positioning and government initiatives. In fact, the country become the world’s fourth biggest economy only behind USA, China and Germany.
The country’s financial markets are expanding, attracting significant foreign investments, and the retail sector is experiencing a buying spree. The government’s infrastructure investments are set to support urban development and job creation, while the manufacturing sector is gaining traction with initiatives like Make in India and PLI scheme. India’s economic growth is projected to continue, with a focus on boosting private sector led growth and creating jobs in priority sectors. Growth in India is projected at 6.6% in FY 26-27 which better place the country among the fastest-growing major economies in the world.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of South Asia’s fastest-growing economies, developing into a competitive manufacturing and export hub with a young, dynamic workforce and strong industrial momentum. An emerging force in the textiles and light manufacturing industry, Bangladesh serves as a strategically positioned global trade hub, providing businesses with an attractive platform for supply chain diversification and scalable growth.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a strategically located island economy along major international shipping routes. It serves as a gateway between East and West. With its strong logistics potential, growing services sector, and niche manufacturing capabilities, Sri Lanka presents opportunities for businesses looking into regional connectivity and operational flexibility.
Supported by ongoing economic reforms and investment initiatives, it is increasingly positioning itself as a complementary hub for trade, logistics, and expansion within South Asia.
Our Reach in South Asia
For businesses looking into taking advantage of this potential, having hands-on business partners is of utmost importance. Kreston Global‘s interconnected network of firms have strong presence in South Asia that can provide investors direct access to local markets with services backed by global standards. From our headquarters in Singapore, we work closely with our South Asian counterparts to deliver seamless, cross-border experience, through advisors and professionals collaborating behind the scenes to ensure consistency and efficiency.
In India, Kreston Global is ranked as the 13th largest accounting network. It is represented across 16 cities by our colleagues:
Bhatia & Bhatia
Kreston OPR Advisors
Kreston Rangamani
Kreston SG
Kreston SNR
Kreston Verma Advisors
Reach out to our colleagues in India to explore investment and expansion opportunities.
In Bangladesh, Kreston Global is represented in Bangladesh by Howlader Maria & Co., Chartered Accountants (HmAC), a trusted firm providing tax, audit and assurance, and business advisory services to both local and international businesses. Known for their hands-on, problem-solving approach, HmAC supports startups and growing enterprises with practical, forward-thinking solutions tailored to the realities of doing business in Bangladesh.
Connect with Maria and learn more about doing business in Bangladesh.
Kreston Sri Lanka is one of the country’s biggest accounting firms and has over 90 years of experience in providing tailored Audit, Tax, Corporate Secretarial, Accounting, Payroll, Financial advisory to both local and multinational firms.
Contact Vipula to assess your next steps.
Collaboration for our Shared Growth
Amidst global headwinds, and threats to doing business, we aim to support our clients and hand-in-hand explore ways to navigate the uncertainties of the changing world together. Beyond Southeast Asia, we are dedicated to providing tailored support to ensure readiness, compliance, and value-adding success through our global counterparts.
Our close collaboration with our colleagues from 150 firms across 100+ countries at Kreston Global is our ticket to get you to wherever your next business is headed.
Reach out to our team for your audit, accounting, tax, or incorporation needs.