FTA Overview

The global economic landscape is increasingly characterised by the growing number of regional and bilateral FTAs. More countries are seeking to negotiate and sign FTAs to liberalise trade and investment between countries and within regions. To date, Singapore has 10 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in force, two to be implemented and several more in the pipeline.

The Singapore FTA network has paved the way for greater trade and investment opportunities for Singapore-based businesses. How can you capitalise on FTAs to help companies maximise their international competitiveness? What advice can you offer to clients to improve their sourcing patterns and operate in a level playing field in overseas markets? This programme allows you to navigate your way through the intricacies of an FTA, and equips you with the necessary skills to interpret and implement FTA knowledge.

The FTA Certificate Programme is developed by IE Singapore, with support from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore Customs and Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). To accelerate learning, the programme will include real-life case studies, lectures and interactive discussions conducted by our experienced and qualified workshop leaders.

Benefits of FTAs to Singapore Companies

Singapore-based companies who meet the FTA requirements will enjoy import duties concessions and preferential market access when they trade with Singapore’s FTA partner countries. These savings on tariffs and improved market accesshelp to enhance their export competitiveness which can in turn improve companies’ overseas sales. Through enhancedinvestment liberalisation and protection regimes, extended business travel stay periods, mutual recognition of productstandards and professional qualifications, intellectual property rights protection and enforcement, and liberalisedgovernment procurement opportunities, Singapore businesses would be able to grow their overseas presence.

Singapore’s Extensive FTA Network

To promote economic integration and enhance market access for Singapore-based companies, Singapore has to date 10 FTAs in force. They are:

• Australia (SAFTA)
• Europe (ESFTA)
• Jordan (SJFTA)
• India (CECA)
• ASEAN (AFTA)
• Japan (JSEPA)
• South Korea (KSFTA)
• New Zealand (ANZSCEP)
• United States (USSFTA)
• ASEAN-China Trade in Goods (ACFTA)

Singapore is also currently negotiating bilateral FTAs with countries in the Middle East, South Asia and the Americas. In addition, as part of ASEAN, Singapore is currently negotiating an FTA with China, Korea, India, Japan, and New Zealand-Australia.