Prime Minister Lawrence Wong calls on business leaders to forge real partnerships as Singapore and New Zealand move beyond diplomacy into practical economic cooperation.
Singapore, 4 May 2026 – Mr Lawrence Wong and Mr Christopher Luxon met at the Singapore–New Zealand Leadership Forum on Monday, calling on business leaders from both countries to strengthen partnerships in supply chains, digital trade, and artificial intelligence.
The forum comes seven months after Singapore and New Zealand upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2025, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Mr Wong said that while government agreements provide a foundation, stronger collaboration must come from businesses. “Government agreements are important, but they can only go so far,” he said, urging companies to build direct and trusted relationships.
He added that partnerships should be practical and responsive, noting that “relationships that are forged on trust, where you have one another’s handphone numbers on speed dial” would enable firms to address challenges and identify new opportunities.
He pointed to existing business links between the two countries. Singapore-based ComfortDelGro operates Auckland’s metro rail network, while PolyBee provides autonomous pollination drone services to New Zealand’s agricultural sector.
New Zealand companies are also active in Singapore. Beca has operated locally for more than four decades, and Fonterra uses Singapore as a regional hub for brands such as Anlene and Fernleaf.
Both governments are expected to sign an agreement on trade in essential supplies during the forum. Mr Wong said recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis, have highlighted the need for stronger supply chain resilience.
He said such shocks are “no longer one-off — they are becoming part of the new normal in our business environment,” adding that governments and businesses must diversify and de-risk supply chains by working with trusted partners.
On technology, Mr Wong highlighted artificial intelligence as a key area for cooperation. He said that while neither country is likely to develop large-scale AI foundation models, both can lead in applying AI in practical ways.
“We are unlikely as two small open economies to be able to build the largest foundation models, but we can be leaders in AI deployment, in use cases,” he said.
Singapore has established a National AI Council focusing on sectors such as advanced manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and logistics, which Mr Wong said present opportunities for collaboration with New Zealand firms.
He also encouraged New Zealand companies to use Singapore as a base for expansion into Southeast Asia, noting the region’s growth potential and demand for digital and sustainable solutions.
Mr Wong and Mr Luxon were scheduled to hold a separate Annual Leaders’ Meeting later the same day. Mr Wong said both engagements aim to deliver practical outcomes that will further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The forum was attended by senior business leaders and government officials from both countries.
Source: PMO
