Exporters help shape future of NZ-Singapore trade relationship

Twenty-nine New Zealand business leaders have taken part in the inaugural Singapore-New Zealand Leadership Forum (SNZLF), helping to shape the future direction of our trade relationship and strengthen economic and commercial ties with Singapore, New Zealand’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and fourth largest globally.

“Singapore is a significant trade partner and a key hub for New Zealand exporters into Southeast Asia, with two-way trade more than doubling over the past ten years to $11 billion. At a time of increasing global headwinds, deepening cooperation with Singapore and the wider region is essential to strengthen the resilience of our export economy,” said Peter Chrisp, Chief Executive of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).

Jointly hosted by the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Singapore and supported by NZTE, the Forum brought together senior political and business leaders on both sides to advance shared strategic, economic and commercial interests and practical outcomes across three core themes:

During the event, New Zealand and Singapore signed the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES) to strengthen supply-chain resilience, support exporters, and keep essential goods moving during times of crisis. The Forum also gave businesses an opportunity to connect, share ideas and exchange knowledge with counterparts in Singapore to grow cooperation, innovation and commercial value, as well as deepen government ties.

“SNZLF was a significant engagement with a like-minded trading partner. The exchange enabled businesses to directly inform government decision-making—bringing forward valuable insights on the opportunities and challenges exporters face, from supply chains and market access to non-tariff barriers. This will help advance even more practical solutions to facilitate trade and strengthen economic connections between our two countries,” said Mr Chrisp.

Business leaders were drawn from sectors representing a broad, high-value cross-section of the New Zealand economy, including food and agriculture; transport and logistics; the green energy transition and sustainability; defence and security; and investment and capital markets. Business engagement was led by co-convenors, Amelia Linzey, Group Chief Executive of New Zealand engineering and consulting company Beca and Mark Lee, Vice Chair of Singapore Business Federation.

“The inaugural Singapore-New Zealand Leadership Forum created real momentum for business on both sides, providing a practical channel for industry to inform priorities and help remove barriers to trade. Singapore is a highly connected market and a critical gateway into Southeast Asia for New Zealand firms. The forum reinforced the scale of opportunity—from innovation and infrastructure to supply chain resilience, food security and the green transition—and the importance of close business-government collaboration to turn shared ambition into tangible outcomes,” said Amelia Linzey, Group Chief Executive of Beca and business co-convenor at SNZLF.

Commercial announcements and highlights from the Forum include:

To further maximise opportunities for exporters in Singapore, NZTE has a longstanding relationship with Enterprise Singapore, Singapore’s trade and enterprise development agency through an Enhanced Partnership for Growth that drives deeper collaboration and strengthens ties at the business level. NZTE currently supports over 100 New Zealand businesses in the market.

New Zealand businesses and representative bodies at SNZLF: