Singapore-New Zealand supply chain pact to keep trade flowing in crises

Cooperation expands into defence and security, focusing on unmanned tech.

Singapore and New Zealand have signed the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies to keep trade in essential goods such as food and fuel flowing during crises, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced.

The pact is intended to prevent supply chain breakdowns during periods of strain, Wong said during a joint press conference with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

The agreement forms part of the broader Singapore–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Separately, Singapore and New Zealand will continue to work together on international platforms to support open trade and maintain reliable supply chains.

“As fellow founding members of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership, we will push to keep trade open, rules clear, and supply chains dependable,“ he added.

Both countries will also continue to deepen defence and security cooperation, including collaboration in areas such as unmanned technologies.

Wong said they will strengthen cooperation in healthcare and food supply, including sharing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and improving the efficiency of trade in primary products.

“Finally, we continue to invest in people-to-people ties – in education, culture and professional exchanges, including between our judiciary, teachers and civil servants,“ he added.