Singapore firms in Middle East say staff safe, operations largely unaffected by war
Companies are maintaining regular contact with employees on the ground and have restricted business travel to and from the region.
People ride scooters on a street with Burj Khalifa in the background, in Dubai on Mar 1, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Amr Alfiky)
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
SINGAPORE: Singapore firms with operations in the Middle East have reported little disruption to their business so far, with staff safe and contingency plans in place as the conflict continues.
Companies told CNA they are maintaining regular contact with employees on the ground and have restricted business travel to and from the region.
The war in the Middle East erupted on Feb 28, and Singapore has since facilitated flights to repatriate citizens from the region.
Surbana Jurong, an engineering and urban infrastructure consultancy, said its offices in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have shifted to work-from-home arrangements, to be adjusted as the situation develops.
Its other offices in the region have reopened progressively, the firm added. However, all business travel to and within the Middle East had been suspended, and Singaporean employees who had been visiting its Middle East offices have returned home safely.
Technology, defence and engineering firm ST Engineering said about 40 Singaporean employees remain in the region, and all are safe and accounted for.
“We have a well-established business continuity plan, which we activated once alerted of the situation in the Middle East,” the company said. “Our employees' safety and well‑being are our top priority, and we remain in close and regular contact with them while monitoring the situation closely.”
Offshore marine firm Seatrium said its direct exposure to affected areas is limited, with no major projects in the region on its current order book. A spokesperson said the firm is monitoring developments and is in constant contact with team members in the region.
Air cargo handler SATS, which operates facilities in Saudi Arabia and Oman, said its Middle East operations are continuing under safety and security protocols, with no "material interruptions" since the war broke out.
"Our staff in the Middle East, including Singaporeans deployed there, are safe," it said.
SATS also praised its Gulf States airport employees for working under difficult conditions, and flagged concern over unprecedented airspace closures disrupting the global air cargo supply chain.
It said it is working with airline customers to adjust operations as trade lanes shift.
Energy and urban solutions provider Sembcorp runs a solar farm and a water and power plant in Oman.
It also operates another water and power plant in the UAE.
“Operations in all three facilities are currently continuing but as the events are evolving, Sembcorp continues to monitor the situation closely,” the firm said in a statement on Monday (Mar 9).
All of its employees are safe at the moment, the company added.
“The facilities have contingency measures in place, and the safety and wellbeing of Sembcorp’s employees remain its top priority as the company maintains operational stability,” it said.
Sembcorp also clarified that its Fujairah F1 plant in the Emirate of Fujairah is undamaged, following media reports to the contrary.
Content creation firm Gushcloud, which has its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, said its operations have not been materially affected. It has no Singaporean employees based there, but has put work-from-home arrangements in place as a precaution and is advising staff to remain indoors and follow local authority guidance.
“We continue to monitor official government advisories closely and ensure all employees are kept informed,” said a spokesperson.
