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Singapore and the European Free Trade Association launch negotiations on Digital Economy Agreement

SINGAPORE – 16 FEB 2023

  1. Singapore and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have launched negotiations on an EFTA-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (DEA). 
  2. This was announced via a video conference today between Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran, Liechtenstein Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport & Chair of the EFTA Council Dominique Hasler, Switzerland Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iceland in Geneva Einar Gunnarsson, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Norway to Geneva Petter Ølberg. The EFTA States and Singapore have also issued a joint statement on the launch of DEA negotiations, which is appended at Annex B (79.81KB)
  3. EFTA and Singapore share strong trade and investment relations underpinned by the 2003 EFTA-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. The DEA will allow Singapore and EFTA to advance cooperation in the digital domain, including advancing end-to-end trade, enabling trusted data flows, and facilitating a trusted and secure digital environment.  The DEA will also build on and complement ongoing plurilateral efforts including negotiations on the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce.

  4. Mr Iswaran said, “Singapore and the EFTA States are like-minded and digitally progressive partners. The DEA will further strengthen our strong and growing bilateral economic relationship, enabling us to unlock  new opportunities in the digital realm for our people and businesses. It will also establish frameworks to promote more seamless cross-border digital trade, connectivity, and data flows between the EFTA and Singapore. I look forward to continued and closer partnership with EFTA as we work to conclude expeditiously on the DEA negotiations expeditiously.”

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LAST UPDATED: 26 JUL 2024

Jointly issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Communications and Information, and Infocomm Media Development Authority

About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission.

For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (@IMDA), Facebook (@IMDAsg) and Instagram (@IMDAsg).

For media clarifications, please contact:

Athena Michael
Senior Assistant Director
(Communications and Engagement Division)
Ministry of Trade and Industry
DID: (65) 9323 2769
Email: Athena_Michael@mti.gov.sg

Adam Osman
Senior Manager
(Communications and Engagement Division)
Ministry of Communications and Information
DID: (65) 9152 0163
Email: Adam_Osman@mci.gov.sg

Veronica Lim
Assistant Director
(Communications and Marketing)
IMDA
Email: media@imda.gov.sg

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