Singapore, New Zealand can cooperate in supply chain resilience, digital and green economy: PM Wong

[SINGAPORE] The Republic and New Zealand can strengthen ties in key areas such as supply chain resilience, and pursue new partnerships in areas such as the digital and green economy, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Monday (May 4).

He was addressing senior C-suite leaders from the two countries at the opening of the Singapore-New Zealand Leadership Forum. Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon also spoke at the event. This marks his second official visit to the Republic.

Supply chain disruptions such as those from the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Middle East crisis serve as reminders that such shocks are not one-offs, but part of the new normal, PM Wong said. “So we cannot assume that markets will always function as before.”

Therefore, countries and businesses must work with trusted partners to diversify, de-risk and build resilience into their systems, he said.

There are also new collaboration opportunities, for instance in areas such as the digital and green economies, he said, noting synergies for collaboration in artificial intelligence in particular.

“We are unlikely as small global economies to be able to build the largest foundation models, but we can be leaders in AI deployment in use cases,” he added.

Singapore and New Zealand should also look to the wider region, he said, noting that Asean, in particular, has “strong tremendous growth potential yet to be unlocked, and possibly new opportunities for collaboration”.

“The world is undergoing a fundamental shift. So governments and businesses alike will have to adapt. In this more uncertain environment, trusted partners matter more than ever,” PM Wong said, adding that Singapore and New Zealand must and will work closely together.

The forum, which reinforces the countries’ commitment to strengthening trade and investment between enterprises in Singapore, New Zealand and South-east Asia, is part of the Singapore-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), launched in October 2025.

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Under the elevated bilateral relationship, the countries also announced the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies, which ensures the continued flow of goods such as food, fuel and medicine between the two countries, even during crises.

PM Wong and Luxon are expected to witness the signing of this deal later on Monday.

The CSP reflects the countries’ shared commitment to open trade and a rules-based international system, which have been put into practice through years of working together, PM Wong said.

The upgraded relationship sets the direction for the next phase of the countries’ partnership, he said, adding that it builds on a “strong base”, where Singapore companies are active in New Zealand, and vice versa.

On Monday, the two prime ministers will also discuss further cooperation at the inaugural Annual Leaders’ Meeting, and hold a joint press conference.