Massachusetts businesses gain new gateway to Southeast Asia with Singapore’s Boston office

New office builds on $2.75 billion in annual Massachusetts-Singapore trade and a new state-level partnership

BOSTON, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, Singapore announced the opening of a new trade office in Boston, providing Massachusetts businesses with a new gateway to Southeast Asia’s $4 trillion economy through Singapore.

The Boston Overseas Centre by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) is Boston’s first Southeast Asia trade office. Located within Greater Boston’s innovation ecosystem, the office will connect Massachusetts organizations with Singapore firms and partners to drive innovation and business collaboration, while helping Singapore companies invest and grow in the United States. The office is also EnterpriseSG’s fifth U.S. office, following the opening of the Austin Overseas Centre in April this year, underscoring EnterpriseSG’s commitment to the U.S. market.

“The U.S. remains an important market for Singapore companies, and Massachusetts is a natural partner on the East Coast for Singapore tech firms because of its vibrant business community and complementary strengths in innovation and deep tech,” said Ms Cindy Khoo, Managing Director of EnterpriseSG. “Our presence in Boston will deepen connections between our business and tech communities, spark new partnerships, and accelerate solutions that can reach markets in the U.S., Singapore and beyond.”

The Boston launch comes as Singapore and the U.S. mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. Bilateral trade reached $145.7 billion in 2025, with the U.S. recording over $33.0 billion trade surplus. Singapore is also the third-largest Asian investor in the U.S., with bilateral trade and Singapore’s investments in the U.S. supporting more than 350,000 U.S. jobs. More than 250 Singapore companies operate across 45 U.S. states.

Reflecting the strength of ties at the state level, trade in goods between Massachusetts and Singapore more than doubled from 2021 to 2025, reaching $2.75 billion in 2025. Massachusetts also recorded a trade surplus with Singapore in each of the past five years.

The opening coincided with the signing of a comprehensive partnership agreement between EnterpriseSG and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI), the first state-level partnership EnterpriseSG has established in the U.S. The agreement will foster more opportunities for Massachusetts- and Singapore-based companies, investors and institutions to collaborate in areas where the two economies have complementary strengths, including life sciences, energy, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

“Massachusetts is proud to welcome Singapore to Boston and deepen our partnership between two of the world’s leading innovation economies,” said Massachusetts Governor Ms Maura Healey. “This new office will connect Massachusetts companies with new markets, investment and partners across Southeast Asia—strengthening our economy and helping the next generation of groundbreaking ideas grow right here at home.”

During the event, Mayor Michelle Wu presented EnterpriseSG with an official City of Boston proclamation recognizing the launch of its Boston Overseas Centre. The proclamation marked the milestone and the growing partnership between Boston and Singapore.

The growing Massachusetts-Singapore partnership is translating into tangible outcomes across various areas. For example:

• Singapore capital is helping to advance cutting-edge biotechnology innovation in Massachusetts. Vertex, the global venture capital platform under Singapore investment company Temasek has invested approximately $100 million across nine Massachusetts startups, including cell and gene therapy platform ElevateBio, reflecting growing capital flows between Singapore and Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem.
• Singapore-based SATS is contributing to jobs and trade connectivity in Massachusetts through its subsidiary, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS). WFS operates three cargo terminals at Boston Logan International Airport, employing 150 people and processing more than 69,000 tonnes of cargo annually for 19 airline customers. Its operations help businesses move goods efficiently through one of New England's key aviation gateways, supporting both regional and international trade.
• Companies from Singapore and Massachusetts are combining their complementary strengths to accelerate innovation and commercialization. Cirrus Therapeutics combines Singapore and Boston R&D capabilities to advance gene therapies, while rehabilitation robotics company Roceso Technologies is leveraging Massachusetts talent and networks to expand in the United States.
  

The Boston Overseas Centre was officially launched by Singapore Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Mr Edwin Tong SC on September 9, 2026.

The Minister's opening remarks are available here, while EnterpriseSG Managing Director Ms Cindy Khoo's welcome remarks are available here.

Photos and attending representatives’ names can be found here.

Media contact
Jessie Reape, FINN Partners
M: +1 484-888-4063
E: jessica.reape@finnpartners.com

About Enterprise Singapore
Enterprise Singapore is the Singapore government agency championing enterprise development. A statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, EnterpriseSG helps Singapore companies build capabilities and expand globally while connecting international businesses with trusted partners in Singapore. With a network in more than 35 locations worldwide, EnterpriseSG connects companies to Singapore’s ecosystem of global enterprises, startups and investors. Learn more at www.enterprisesg.gov.sg.