POLITICAL SYSTEM

SINGAPORE

Singapore is known for being a developed country, tight local rules and its conservatism.

Singapore is under a parliamentary democracy where the president appoints the prime minister

and cabinet who are accountable to parliament. The president has little influence and the prime

minister is the one who is in charge of the country’s policies. The country is abiding with

Westminster system which has three different branches of government: the legislative, executive,

and judiciary. The legislative branch is the Parliament, which is led by the Prime Minister, the

executive is led by the Cabinet and is in charge of government administration, and the judiciary

that operates independently from the other two branches of the government is make up of two-tier

court structure which are State courts and Supreme Courts. State courts are trial courts and

Supreme Courts are courts of appeal that can also try serious cases. The Court of Appeal is led by

the Chief Justice. The current Prime Minister is Lee Hsien Loong and President is Halimah Yacob.

INDIA

The country’s political system was derived after the country gained its sovereignty from

the British rule. The country is mainly a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic state and

a union of states. The parliamentary form of India’s government which is federal in structure was

provided by the country’s constitution and is composed of the executive, the legislature, and the

judiciary. The president, currently Shri Ram Nath Kovind, is the constitutional head of the

Executive of the Union. The Parliament, which is bicameral in nature, is vested with the powers

of legislature. Shri Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India, is the head of the

parliament together with its Council of Ministries. Following the pattern of other parliamentary
government, the Prime Minister of India aid and advises the President, thus, he holds more

significant powers than the latter.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

The Republic of the Congo is a democratic republic state and consecrates political

pluralism. The country’s constitution establishes the roles and structures of the executive,

legislative, and judicial powers. The executive power is vested upon the President which is also

the head of the state and the Chief of the Armies. Under the 2005 DRC Constitution, the President

of the Republic must share power with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the

government and heads the bicameral legislature consisting of the National Assembly and the

Senate. The current highest leaders of the country are President Felix Tshisekedi and and Prime

Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge.

ECONOMIC SYSTEM

SINGAPORE

Singapore’s economy is a well-developed free-market economy. From 1960 to 2020,

Singapore’s GDP averaged 95.19 USD billion, with a peak of 373.22 USD billion in 2018 and a

low of 0.70 USD billion in the year of 1960. The World Economic Forum ranked the economy of

Singapore as the most open, the third-least corrupt, and the most pro-business in the world. Also,

it is the world’s second-highest purchasing power parity per capita GDP (PPPP and has low tax

rates.
 Singapore’s major imports are machinery, transport equipment and crude petroleum, while

machinery and refined petroleum products and their major exports. Singapore was the world’s

largest exporter of Oxygen Amino Compounds in 2019

INDIA

India is the third largest economy in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). The current

Gross Domestic Product of the country is US $8.9 trillion with an annual growth of 7.97% as of

2020. The country has a mixed economy and its rapid economic growth is the result of the strong

demand for the country’s goods and services.

India mainly imports Crude Petroleum, Gold, Coal Briquettes, Diamonds and Petroleum

Gas. The country’s most common import partners are China, United States, United Arab Emirates,

Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Further, its major exports are Refined Petroleum, Diamonds, Packaged

Medicaments, Jewellery, and Cars (including car parts). The common destination for these export

products are United States, United Arab Emirates, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is abundant with natural resources that it is widely

recognized to be the richest in the world. Further, the country is estimated to have a worth of US

$24 trillion untapped deposits of raw minerals. Since 2001, the country has shifted towards a more

market-oriented economy to help stabilized its economic situation. With that being said, the

country experienced its first positive Gross Domestic Product growth in 2002.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo major exports are Crude Petroleum, Refined

Copper, Rough Wood, Sawn Wood, and Passenger and Cargo Ships. The country is mostly

exporting to China, United Arab Emirates, India, United States, and Italy. Moreover, the country’s
top imports are Passenger and Cargo Ships, Poultry Meat, Refined Petroleum, Processed Fish, and

Packaged Medicaments, importing mostly from China, France, Belgium, Angola, and India.

LEGAL SYSTEM

SINGAPORE

Singapore’s legal system is based on the English common law. It is built on four pillars:

the Constitution, Legislation, Subsidiary legislation and Legal decisions made by judges.

Constitution that protects individual liberties and rights, Legislation are written laws passed by

Singapore Parliament with the authority to do so in Singapore’s past, Government agencies,

statutory boards and ministers all have the authority to issue written legislation, which is referred

as subsidiary legislation, and Judge-made law refers to decisions of courts that are treated as

authoritative sources of law. The Supreme Court consists of the Court of Appeal and the High

Court that consider civil and criminal cases. Singapore’s Subordinate Courts is made up of District

Courts, Magistrates’ Courts, Juvenile Courts, Coroner’s Courts, and Small Claims Tribunals.

INDIA

India has four types of legal system; the criminal law, civil law, common law, and statutory

law. Criminal law is enforced by the police, civil law is the law that looks at actions that are not

considered as crime, common law also known as case law or judicial precedent is a section of law

which is derived from the judicial decision of courts and similar tribunals, and lastly, statutory law

is a law established by an act of the legislature that is signed by the executive and legislative body.

The country has a federal judicial system which is fundamentally established on mixed law such

as based on parliamentary legislature, court laws, as well as customary and religious laws. It is

developed by judges through their decisions, orders, and judgments. The Indian court system are
as follows according to hierarchy: Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts which generally

has two types the Civil Courts and Criminal Courts, Lok Adalats/Village Courts, and Tribunals.

Article 141 and 144 of India’s Constitution explicitly stated that the Supreme Court has the highest

authority and jurisdiction to make decisions and uphold the law of the land.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

On account of the Belgian colonization in the country, the legal system of DRC is primarily

based on Belgian Law. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a civil law country but other

laws such as customary law or tribal law are other basis for the country’s legal system. Moreover,

the Congolese legal system is divided into three branches, the Public Law, Private Law, and

Economic Law. There are seven formal sources of the country’s law, namely the Constitution,

International Treaties, Legislation, Administrative Regulations, Custom, Case Law, and Doctrine

Writings. Initially, DRC has only four courts: Cour suprême de justice or Supreme Court, Cour

d’appel or Court of Appeals which has an Administrative and Judiciary sections, the Tribunal de

Grande Instance, and Tribunaux de Paix or magistrates’ courts. During the past years, the country

established new courts such as Haute cour Militaire or Military High Court, the Constitutional

Court, and Special Courts for special cases.

THREE FACTORS THAT MAKE THE COUNTRY “IDEAL”

FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

SINGAPORE

The three factors that make Singapore ideal for international business are: well-trained and

productive workforce, no corruption, and a rational tax system with low tax rates. Singaporeans

are known for their work ethic, productivity, adherence to rules and high level of education.
INDIA

India being a democratic and fast-growing nation makes the country an intriguing prospect

for international business. The country with more than a billion population and consequently ranks

as one of the largest economy by GDP makes India a great destination for companies to expand

their footprint in the global market. Three of the many factors that makes this country ideal for

international business are: the country has a thriving domestic market opportunity, a growing

technology, and huge pool of highly-skilled human capital. As the second country with the largest

population, India becomes one of the biggest markets for international business. India’s technology

infrastructure is also evolving in a very fast pace making the country viable for global marketing

and global start-ups across sectors like e-commerce, educational technology among others. And

lastly, India offers not just market potential but also globally competent manpower. It is proven

that Indians are one of the most well-trained with strong work ethic workforce across the world.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

When people think of Congo, the first thing that comes to their mind is the conflict within

its borders. While this is a proven fact, people cannot also refute that the DRC is among the top 10

countries with the richest natural resources. The country’s rich endowment of natural is one factor

that makes this country ideal for international business. Other factors that makes this country ideal

for international business are its large population and its strategic location in Central Africa. The

DRC has a population density of 39.5 or an estimated 40 people per square kilometer which means

that hiring workforce in the country is easy. Further, the country’s location in the Central African

region is perfect because it has direct access to the South Atlantic Ocean and although some of its

neighboring country are experiencing civil war, some are not such Rwanda in the west part of the

country.
 THREE FACTORS THAT MAKE THE COUNTRY “NOT IDEAL”

FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

SINGAPORE

Although the country seems to be perfect for international business operations, doing

business in Singapore is not without some challenges and demand. Three factors that makes this

country “not ideal” for international business are: intricate procedures in dealing with construction

permits, complicated processes in registering properties, and it takes time to get electrical

connection in the country.

INDIA

Three factors that makes India “not ideal” for international business are: trouble in the

processing of starting a business, the high tariff and protectionist policies, and a vast and

fragmented market. In India, it would take approximately 68 days to register business and it’s also

costlier than other high-income economies. Many investors and exporters are also having limited

access to the Indian market because of the policies imposed by the government. And lastly,

although the country has an enormous populace, the challenge in successfully introducing your

business to a culturally diverse market may be hard for a lot of business owners.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

The first of the many reasons why this country is not ideal for international business is the

country’s ongoing civil war. This has cause the stagnant growth of the country as well as the

suffering of its civilians. Other factors that makes this country unideal for business are the

prevailing corruption and bribery of its government official and its unending political instability.
 PHOTOS

SINGAPORE

INDIA

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

REFERENCES:

POLITICAL SYSEM

Singapore

https://www.startupdecisions.com.sg/blog/singapores-political-system/

https://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/Documents/educ/International_Ed_Study_Group_2020/Sing

apore/3.SingaporePoliticalStructureNCEE%20.pdf

India

https://www.india.gov.in/my-government

Democratic Republic of Congo

https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Congo_2015.pdf?lang=en

https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/government

ECONOMIC SYSTEM

Singapore

https://tradingeconomics.com/singapore/gdp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Singapore
https://oec.world/en/profile/country/sgp

https://www.britannica.com/place/Singapore/History

India

https://oec.world/en/profile/country/ind

https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/india/economy

Democratic Republic of the Congo

https://oec.world/en/profile/country/cog

https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/economy

https://www.britannica.com/place/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo/Economy

LEGAL SYSTEM

Singapore

https://www.guidemesingapore.com/business-guides/immigration/get-to-know-

singapore/introduction-to-singapores-legal-system

India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/what-are-the-types-of-law-in-the-

indian-legal-system/articleshow/77262576.cms

https://www.animallaw.info/article/introduction-indian-judicial-system

Democratic Republic of the Congo

https://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Democratic_Republic_Congo1.html#_The_Court_

System

THREE FACTORS THAT MAKE THE COUNTRY “IDEAL” FOR INTERNATIONAL

BUSINESS

Singapore

https://www.startupdecisions.com.sg/singapore/incorporation/why-incorporate-in-

singapore/

India

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/323614

Democratic Republic of the Congo

https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/democratic-republic-congo-market-

overview

THREE FACTORS THAT MAKE THE COUNTRY “NOT IDEAL” FOR

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Singapore

https://www.tmf-group.com/en/news-insights/business-culture/top-challenges-singapore/

India

https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/doing-business-in-india

Democratic Republic of the Congo

https://www.expatarrivals.com/africa/democratic-republic-congo/doing-business-

democratic-republic-congo

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13283212

PHOTOS

Singapore

India

Republic of Congo