EU, Singapore closer to signing FTA

In the first step towards signing and concluding the European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), the European Commission has presented the outcome of the negotiations to the European Council.

The initialled agreement now needs to be approved by the Council of Ministers and ratified by the European Parliament.

The aim is for the EUSFTA to come into force before the European Commission's mandate ends next year, said the EU delegation to Singapore in a statement yesterday.

EU Ambassador to Singapore Barbara Plinkert said that as the first deal between the EU and a South-east Asian economy, the EUSFTA is a stepping stone towards greater engagement between the regions.

More than 10,000 EU companies have a presence in Singapore, with the Republic also being the top South-east Asian destination for European investments.

Negotiations for the EUSFTA began in 2009 and concluded in 2014. Besides liberalising tariffs, reducing non-tariff trade barriers and promoting services and investment, the EUSFTA will also give improved access to government procurement opportunities.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 20, 2018, with the headline EU, Singapore closer to signing FTA. Subscribe