Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced the commencement of negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement aimed at enhancing trade and investment between the two countries. The announcement was made on October 21 during a meeting in Abu Dhabi involving ministers and senior officials from both sides.

The agreement, which is expected to function similarly to a free trade pact, is intended to deepen economic integration and create new business opportunities. This development was part of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s five-day visit to the Middle East, which began on October 18 in Qatar.

In addition to launching talks on the economic pact, the two countries agreed to establish a joint energy task force. This body will focus on identifying opportunities across the energy value chain, covering areas such as trading, infrastructure, and downstream activities. The task force will be formed under the framework of the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF), a platform that facilitates economic cooperation and explores new shared interests. The ADSJF held its 17th meeting in Singapore in September.

The task force will consist of representatives from Singapore’s Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Both governments emphasized that this initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in energy security and support their respective energy transition goals.

Furthermore, the joint statement highlighted ongoing collaboration in the field of nuclear energy. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and Singapore’s Energy Market Authority continue to engage in cooperative efforts, underscoring the countries' commitment to advancing their energy sectors through diverse partnerships.