Singapore


The Singaporean government has taken on a very active programme of FTA negotiations, further deepening its position as a business hub of Southeast Asia. It has signed bilateral deals with New Zealand (2000), Japan (2002), EFTA (2002), Australia (2003), the US (2003), Jordan (2004), the quadrilateral Pacific 4 (2005), India (2005), Korea (2005), Panama (2006), Peru (2008), China (2008), Qatar (2008), the Gulf Cooperation Council (2008) and Costa Rica (2010). Negotiations with Mexico, Canada, Colombia, SACU, Egypt, Ukraine, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are ongoing. There has been talk of further FTAs with Iran and Morocco.

Additionally, Singapore is part of the ASEAN bloc which is currently working towards an FTA with the EU, India, and Australia/New Zealand, as well as full implementation of the deal with China.

last update: May 2012
Photo: tobiwei/CC BY-NC 2.0


Singapore to negotiate FTA with regional bloc of 8 East African countries
Singapore will negotiate a free trade agreement with a bloc of eight East African countries, its first with an African partner. This would also be the regional bloc’s first FTA negotiation with a partner outside Africa.
Singapore, New Zealand sign world's first legally binding supply chain resilience pact
The agreement commits both countries not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on food, fuel, healthcare and other critical goods.
Singapore, South Korea to work towards upgrading free trade agreement
Singapore and South Korea on Monday announced plans to upgrade the free trade agreement between both countries.
FTA between S’pore, Paraguay comes into effect under deal on lower tariffs with South American bloc
A free trade agreement between Singapore and South American economic bloc Mercosur entered into force for the Republic and Paraguay on Feb 1, said Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Singapore, Chile and New Zealand launch negotiations for new green trade pact
Singapore, Chile and New Zealand have launched negotiations for a green trade pact which could include cooperation in areas like sustainable aviation fuel, carbon credits and renewable energy certificates.
Singapore and EFTA conclude talks on digital economy agreement
The agreement will allow the free flow of data across each other’s territories.
Pacific Alliance–Singapore free trade agreement to enter into force on 3 May 2025
The agreement will provide greater access to Latin American markets for Singaporean companies, particularly in industries such as infrastructure, professional services, digital trade, and agri-food.
Sri Lanka goes ahead with Singapore Free Trade Agreement
Sri Lanka has decided to proceed with its existing free trade agreement (FTA) with Singapore, despite a previous suspension. The decision is based on policy continuity, with some tariff reductions already implemented.
Upgraded China-S’pore free trade pact takes effect, will enhance market access for businesses
China and Singapore have upgraded a 15-year-old free trade deal to further open up their markets to investors and services suppliers on both sides, and expand cooperation in telecoms services.
The hidden costs of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
There are many downsides for Singaporeans that are never mentioned. For consumers, the clause on Intellectual Property Rights has been the most damaging.

Referenced sites

Singapore's FTAs website

Singapore's FTAs website, with documents and news of latest developments.