Many of the, bars, food & restaurants are expats, it doesn't fall under hawker centre, so there is little chance you are taking jobs away from Singaporeans, I would rather approach and debate with authorities than give up becuase I read something negative. Though no doubt the policy does serve a purpose.
Lets face it all tourists want is original food, not a Singaporean attempt at foreign foods. There is nothing at all original with Western foods cooked by Singaporeans.
I also know lots of foreigners in the hawker centre business too, it doesn't stop them from cooking their original food, providing they take a Singapore manager/partner. There is also the ice cream business and Italians here....So it's all about how you interpret and approach the bureaucracy. I'm pretty sure if you can offer employment they are not going to turn you away.
So even if he was to create a Nepalese restaurant with a Singaporean manager/partner in an authentic manner it is likely it wouldn't be refused, especially in an area of attracting tourism. How you emphasise the business plan, to fit in with Singapore tourist plans are relevant, and guidance from the tourist board maybe helpful.
Networking between these departments concerned to kick start something new, will have more of a chance than, applying directly. Singapore guanxi is useful and relevant in business!
All bureaucracies have policies and SOP, which appear to be inflexible, though you will find within the system people look at things on a case by case scenario and look at the opportunities and cost. WIN WIN always in Singapore for Singapore. So why take losers like the UK!
and expected the words to endear him to the natives 
