Foe my 2 cents, I would say Singapore is prioritizing business development through networking since 2009. Their focus is on helping 1000 enterprises through the EDP over a 3 year period, as Singapore depends on the exports of all industries. IE have roped in 9 associations one of which is the Association of SME's. If you have the qualifications you can also register as an expert in your own right! Though you have to qualify through some sort of exam.
I did a 16 week full time Danish Export course for degree holders back in 1989. It was based on the Danish Chamber of commerce and Trade Mission curriculum as it was also state sponsored.
After looking at the course Singapore is offering, it's almost identical though the practical experience must be paid for by the companies wanting overseas development as the whole export courses are arranged by banks and the universities understanding the grant system in Singapore and application is also part of the courses which take 12 weeks in Singapore.
Were in Denmark the business overseas development of exports project was sponsored by government to attract those with practical export experience or graduates to get qualified.
Singapore is actually a close knit networking country so it can pay dividends to attend all the seminars on business development as the grants system also needs to be fully understood.
My 2 cents would be to approach the associations you are interested in to start networking your abilities. Business development is such a general term, and most consultants have their own special niche's of experience, so networking within the industry is probably the only way forward.
Singapore specialises in the import of labour and talent for most projects that are done in Singapore, so breaking into this close knit community may take some networking time.
Expanding in the local market is also done through networking. We have participated in restructuring and developing new business the last 7 years in the local market through networking overseas and import & distribution locally.
For more information you may wish to get acquainted with IE
http://www.iesingapore.gov.sg/ for overseas business development, local development is also done through Spring
http://www.spring.gov.sg/Pages/Homepage.aspx to be employed as a business developer maybe more difficult in Singapore, than local communities overseas due to the lack of creative and qualified talent to move forward hence the use of government contacts and agencies..
Setting up Business development independently in Singapore consists of the local legal obligations as well as the international ones, banks maybe employers of business development officers. My speciality would be the European market in which we will eventually go for.