Bridging Opportunities: Singapore and India Enhance Business, Skills Training, and Digital Economy Partnerships
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening India-Singapore economic relations, focusing on industry collaboration, skills development, and cross-border investments. Recent engagements, including the India Ready Talent Programme and high-level meetings with Singaporean leadership, underscore growing cooperation in trade, technology, and education.
On 14 March 2025, Ms. Nomita Dhar of Sun Media met with Mr. Avnish Patnaik, Chief Representative & Head of CII Singapore, to discuss the organisation’s ongoing efforts to foster industrial collaboration and economic development.
In a significant step towards advancing bilateral relations, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met with the CII Core Group in Singapore on 14 February 2025, reinforcing the commitment to deeper engagement in skills training and the digital economy. The CII delegation, led by Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman of Tata Sons, held discussions with key Singaporean leaders, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat, and Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng.
During the meetings, several actionable initiatives were outlined, focusing on expanding talent exchanges, industrial park development, AI-driven solutions, and sustainability-focused projects. The discussions were particularly significant as India and Singapore celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, marking a milestone in their shared economic journey.
A key highlight of CII’s ongoing initiatives is the India Ready Talent Programme (IRTP), launched in 2024 in partnership with Enterprise Singapore and supported by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). The programme offers Singaporean students the opportunity to intern with leading Indian enterprises, gaining firsthand exposure to India’s corporate ecosystem. In 2024, 20 students participated, with 17 placed in Indian companies such as Apollo Hospitals, Bajaj Finserv, Forbes Marshall, Tata Power, Tata Steel, TVS Motors, and TVS Supply Chain Solutions, while three students interned with Singaporean firms operating in India, including Singapore Airlines, SATS, and Meinhardt. The internships lasted between three to four months (May-August 2024), with students receiving academic credits for their experiences. Positive feedback from students, universities, and companies has set the stage for the 2025 edition of the programme.
The CII delegation’s visit to Singapore also included engagements with Enterprise Singapore and leading business leaders, exploring avenues for enhanced business-to-business collaboration. With a Singapore office established in 1992, CII remains dedicated to expanding industry-government dialogues and driving sectoral partnerships that will benefit both nations.
As India and Singapore continue to evolve as global economic powerhouses, this collaboration serves as a model for regional economic integration, ensuring sustained growth in trade, technology, and sustainable development.
Source: IN Diplomacy Reporters
