My colleague has to fly out of Sin on the 29 th of Feb to IAD via HKG. Then to LHR and back to Sin.

fairly straightforward RTW. Local travel agent is insisting that he has to stay 10 nights to get a 'cheap' ticket otherwise it is S$17K.!!!! As opposed to just under S$8K

Is the requirement non waivable, or do I get him to try SQ?
Any suggestions welcome as time is runnning out...
Also any suggestions for a decent travel agent in Singapore is most welcome.!!

10 days is the minimum stay for both OW and Star RTW trips. You could try open ticketing and hope that the airline personnel handling the LHR-SIN segment doesn't check the origination date or doesn't know the 10 day rule. Otherwise, have them take a few extra days in route and enjoy the scenery.

He could always stopover in BKK and buy a cheap one-way/RT to SIN, then leave the final BKK-SIN flight for a later time

Exceptions to the 10 day rule apply for travel originating SWP and HKG. Your friend could buy a ticket to HKG (if going A or D) or SYD and start the trip there but would also have to pay those countries prices. Best alternative is as ExMo suggests take a few extra days or end your trip elsewhere and buy a separate ticket back to SIN.

45N TRAVEL FROM THE LAST POINT OUTSIDE THE
COUNTRY OF
46N ORIGIN MAY NOT COMMENCE PRIOR TO 10 DAYS AFTER
47N DEPARTURE OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SECTOR.
48N .
49N .
50N . **EXCEPTIO ORIGIN SOUTH WEST PACIFIC:
51N . N**- FIRST CLASS/BUSINESS CLASS -NONE
52N . - ECONOMY CLASS - 7 DAYS
53N .
54N .
55N .
56N .
57N . **EXCEPTIO ORIGIN EUROPE:
58N . N** TRAVEL ON THE LAST INTERCONTINENTAL
59N . SEGMENT MUST COMMENCE NO
60N . EARLIER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST
61N . INTERCONTINENTAL SEGMENT
62N .
63N .
64N .
65N .
66N . **EXCEPTIO ORIGIN HKG: FOR TICKETS ISSUED ON/AFTER
67N . N** 10OCT01
68N . - FIRST CLASS/BUSINESS CLASS - NONE
69N .

Thks for the help. I think best way is to go to Hk and start the ticket from there.
Or do people have better suggestions.?

If BGK can someone supply a REPUTABLE agent.
(I have staff in HK that can help out of HK)k

The ticket will be cheaper out of BKK (DONE3 ex-BKK: S$7025; ex-HKG: S$8550).

Don't bother with a travel agent. Ticket directly with an airline -- probably CX is your best bet.

You can sort out the itinerary with your local CX office, ask them to make the reservations and tell them you are going to pay and ticket in XXX city. They will give you a reloc number. Just quote that number to the nice staff at your chosen CX office and, if your itinerary is correct by the rules, you'll be on your way in an hour or so. Just be the first in the office in the morning and you'll be OK. To be safe, allocate the full day in case of problems (ie a problem in interpreting the rules).