Singapore Manufacturing Federation and Korea’s KEIT partner to boost AI-driven manufacturing collaboration and support Singapore’s National AI Strategy.
The Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a new framework for industrial collaboration between Singapore and South Korea.
The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and workforce development. The partnership is seen as a key industry initiative that aligns with the broader Singapore–South Korea Strategic Partnership, which was announced during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Singapore this week.
Under the agreement, SMF becomes the first trade association and chamber to partner with KEIT in this capacity. The collaboration will allow Singapore companies to connect with Korea’s M.A.X (Manufacturing AI Transformation) Alliance, a national initiative that promotes the integration of artificial intelligence across the entire manufacturing ecosystem.
Through this partnership, Korean expertise in AI-driven manufacturing will be introduced to Singapore’s manufacturing sector. Organisers say the initiative aims to accelerate digital transformation, improve industrial productivity, and strengthen innovation capabilities within the industry.
The collaboration will focus on three key pillars. The first pillar is AI transformation, which will support manufacturers in adopting artificial intelligence technologies to enhance operations and production processes. The second pillar focuses on workforce upskilling, ensuring that employees gain the necessary digital and technical skills to work with advanced manufacturing systems. The third pillar aims to improve industrial productivity, helping companies enhance efficiency and competitiveness in global markets.
According to SMF, the partnership will also contribute to Singapore’s broader economic goals, including the National AI Strategy and the priorities outlined in Budget 2026. By linking Singapore’s manufacturing sector with Korea’s AI capabilities, the initiative aims to create a stronger innovation ecosystem.
Industry leaders say the MOU represents an important step in building a Korea–Singapore innovation corridor, where companies from both countries can collaborate in areas such as smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and technology development.
The initiative is expected to create opportunities for joint research, industry partnerships, and technology exchange between businesses in the two countries. It also reflects the growing importance of international collaboration in maintaining competitiveness in the global manufacturing sector.
SMF said the partnership will help develop a manufacturing ecosystem in Singapore that is more autonomous, intelligent, and globally competitive, while strengthening industrial ties between Singapore and South Korea.
Source: SMF
