EU to send SME missions to S'pore under pilot programme

[SINGAPORE] The European Union (EU) will soon be bringing its SMEs to South-east Asia, using Singapore as a base, strengthening the business ties following the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) in September 2013.

The New EU Business Avenues to South-east Asia pilot programme, starting at the end of October this year, will strengthen the presence of EU SMEs in key markets in South-east Asia. Singapore will be used as a launch pad to emerging markets in the region, including Malaysia and Vietnam.

Michael Pulch, EU Ambassador and head of delegation to Singapore, announced yesterday that during the pilot phase, three business missions - each with 40 companies - will travel to Singapore. He added that the programme will initially focus on clean technologies, interior design and lifestyle sectors. Dr Pulch was speaking at the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) Europe Day luncheon celebration yesterday.