From December 2001, you can register your new company online when the Registry of Companies and Businesses (RCB) rolls out its Electronic Filing System. Processing time will be cut from the current five working days to just one with e-registration. Applications can be submitted after working hours, and various services - from payment to verification of documents - can be done with the click of a mouse. The registry will implement the system in four phases. The first phase will begin in December, enabling individuals to apply for new company names and register local companies online. Foreign company registration and changes in company names will follow in Feb 2002. In April 2002, business registration services will go online. In June 2002, information services such as directories will go online. (Straits Times 5 Sep 2001)(H3)

  Singapore's new investments in China slipped 5.6 per cent to just under US$1 billion (S$1.8 billion) in the first half of the year - but Chinese officials are not concerned as the Republic remains its fifth-largest foreign investor. New figures released by China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation show that Singaporeans made fresh investments totalling US$978 million between January and June this year. (Straits Times 21 Aug 2001)(S14)