The EFTA-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (DEA) is currently being negotiated between Singapore and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
NEGOTIATIONS for the Digital Economy Agreement (DEA) between Singapore and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was announced via a videoconference on 16th February 2023 between Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran, Liechtenstein Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport & Chair of the EFTA Council Dominique Hasler, Switzerland Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iceland in Geneva Einar Gunnarsson, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Norway to Geneva Petter Ølberg.
Strong trade and investment ties between EFTA and Singapore are supported by the EFTA-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which was signed in 2003. With the help of the DEA, Singapore and EFTA will be able to advance their digital cooperation, facilitating end-to-end trade, trusted data flows, and a safe and secure digital environment.
The DEA will also advance and complete ongoing multilateral initiatives, such as discussions regarding the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce.
Mr. Iswaran said, “Singapore and the EFTA States are like-minded and digitally progressive partners. The DEA will further strengthen our strong and growing bilateral economic relationship, enabling us to unlock new opportunities in the digital realm for our people and businesses. It will also establish frameworks to promote more seamless cross-border digital trade, connectivity, and data flows between EFTA and Singapore. I look forward to continued and closer partnership with EFTA as we work to conclude expeditiously on the DEA negotiations expeditiously.”
Sourced from Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry site
