Singapore and New Zealand sign Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies
25 May 2026
On 4 May 2026, Singapore and New Zealand signed an Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (“AOTES”) at the Singapore-New Zealand Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Singapore.
The AOTES between Singapore and New Zealand is the world’s first legally binding bilateral supply chain resilience agreement and reflects both countries’ longstanding commitment to uphold free and unimpeded trade. The AOTES will be incorporated into the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP), the bilateral free trade agreement between Singapore and New Zealand.
Under the AOTES, Singapore and New Zealand commit not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on agreed essential supplies, including food, fuel, healthcare, chemical, and construction products. The AOTES 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.
The AOTES will enter into force upon the completion of domestic procedures on both sides.
Reference materials
The following materials are available from the MTI website www.mti.gov.sg: