Singapore, New Zealand sign world’s first bilateral treaty to protect essential trade

Singapore, New Zealand sign world’s first bilateral treaty to protect essential tradeBoth governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products5-MIN READ5-MIN0ListenPublished: 2:59pm, 4 May 2026Updated: 3:00pm, 4 May 2026Singapore and New Zealand on Monday signed the world’s first legally binding bilateral agreement to keep essential supplies – including food, fuel, healthcare products and chemical and construction materials – flowing even during crises.The Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies was signed by Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy, Science and Technology Tan See Leng and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay at the Singapore-new-zealand-annual-leaders-meeting" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="121831" data-entity-type="event">Singapore-New Zealand Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Singapore, witnessed by the prime ministers of both countries.Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on the agreed essential goods, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said.Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x