New Zealand and Singapore have signed an agreement aimed at protecting the flow of essential goods, including fuel and food, during times of disruption.
The Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES) was signed by Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and witnessed by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Under the agreement, both countries commit not to impose export restrictions on each other for a defined list of essential goods, while strengthening cooperation on supply chain resilience.
Luxon says the deal comes amid increasing global uncertainty affecting fuel and supply chains.
“The past few months have shown we live in a volatile world – Kiwis are seeing that every time they fill up their car. That is why we are hustling in the world to protect New Zealand and build our resilience in uncertain times,” Luxon says.
“With a third of New Zealand’s fuel refined in Singapore, this agreement turns trust into action – and right now, that’s keeping fuel flowing to New Zealand when it matters most.”
He says the agreement also reinforces New Zealand’s role as a major food exporter.
“As the best food producer in the world, New Zealand has what the world wants. With this agreement we are leveraging that special skill to protect what Kiwi communities need,” Luxon says.
McClay says the agreement builds on cooperation developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and is designed to reduce the risk of supply chain disruption.
“It recognises that reliable access to essential goods is most critical during times of crisis,” he says.
“This agreement is a world first and the latest example of our shared commitment to keeping fuel, food, medicines and other critical goods moving when they are needed most.”
The agreement covers a range of essential goods including fuel, foodstuffs, construction materials and other critical supplies.
It will be incorporated into the existing New Zealand-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, subject to domestic approval processes in both countries.
