Singapore and New Zealand have signed the world’s first legally binding bilateral agreement aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential goods, including food, fuel, healthcare products, chemicals, and construction materials, even during times of crisis.

Photo: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon witness the signing ceremony of the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies between Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4 May 2026 (Source: GAVIN FOO, ST PHOTO).

On 4 May 2026, during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official visit to Singapore, Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy, Science and Technology, Mr. Tan See Leng, and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr. Todd McClay, signed the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES). The signing was witnessed by the two Prime Ministers.

The AOTES reflects both countries’ longstanding commitment to uphold free and unimpeded trade. It is the world’s first legally-binding bilateral supply chain resilience agreement. It will be incorporated into the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP) – the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Singapore and New Zealand.  Under the Agreement, Singapore and New Zealand commit not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on agreed essential supplies, including food, fuel, healthcare, chemical and construction products. The Agreement also establishes a framework for both countries to facilitate the movement of goods, share information and engage in consultations before or during supply chain disruptions. This will provide businesses and consumers on both sides with greater confidence and stability during supply chain disruptions. Following signing, the Agreement will enter into force upon the completion of domestic procedures on both sides.

The AOTES was concluded in October 2025 during Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to New Zealand, prior to the outbreak of the Middle East conflict. However, the signing of the agreement under current circumstances further underscores the urgency of safeguarding strategic supply routes against growing risks. For New Zealand, Singapore plays a particularly important role, as approximately one-third of the country’s fuel is refined in Singapore. New Zealand, in turn, is an important food supplier for Singapore.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that Singapore welcomes other countries in the region to join this cooperative framework, provided they meet the standards set out in the agreement, thereby gradually building a network of trusted partners. For his part, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized that the newly signed agreement is a pioneering initiative, reflecting efforts to strengthen multilateral cooperation amid a shifting international order.

Singapore and New Zealand have a strong record of cooperation in developing modern trade rules, including through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Future Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). The agreement between Singapore and New Zealand is significant not only bilaterally, but also sends a strong message on the importance of cooperation and trust in maintaining supply chain stability, particularly as the global economic and trading environment faces increasingly unpredictable challenges./.

Source: Compiled by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam