The EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement Explained

On 25 July, the European Union and Singapore successfully concluded negotiations for a Digital Trade Agreement (EUSDTA)​. This agreement represents the EU's first of its kind, showcasing its ambition to establish global standards for digital trade and cross-border data flows. We warmly invite you to join us at the Ambassador's Residence to gain a deeper understanding of the implications this agreement holds for Swedish businesses in Singapore.

In their joint statement, European Commission Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis​ and Singapore Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu​ emphasised the longstanding and robust economic ties between the EU and Singapore, underscored by the 2019 EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. The new EUSDTA will further strengthen this partnership in the digital sector, reinforcing both parties' roles in setting high-standard, legally binding digital trade rules. This agreement complements the 2019 Free Trade Agreement by elevating the relationship between the EU and Singapore to new heights.

In parallel, the EU and Singapore signed in February 2023 a Digital Partnership​ which focuses on critical areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, trusted data flows, digital trust, and skills development. The EUSDTA builds upon this foundation, introducing legally binding rules to prevent data localisation and to ensure personal data protection.

As we await the formal signature and conclusion of the EUSDTA, we invite members of the Swedish business community to an exclusive session featuring Justyna Lasik​, Head of the Economic and Trade Section of the EU Delegation to Singapore, BenoÎt Sauveroche​, First Counsellor of the EU Delegation in Singapore and Kala Anandarajah​, Head of Competition & Antitrust and Trade at Rajah & Tann​. This session will provide insights into the EUSDTA's implications for Swedish businesses in Singapore and the broader region, as well as Singapore's expectations and vision for this pivotal agreement.

AGENDA:

8:30-8:35 am: Welcome Remarks by H.E Anders Sjöberg​, Ambassador of Sweden to Singapore.

8:35-9:00: EU - Singapore Digital Trade:

• An overview of the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement: Core elements and opportunities/advantages businesses can expect from the EUSDTA (Justyna Lasik, Head of the Economic and Trade Section, EU Delegation to Singapore)
• An overview of the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership: Main aspects of the partnership and its relevance to businesses (Benoît Sauveroche, First Counsellor, EU Delegation to Singapore)

9:00-9:25: The Singapore Trade Perspective (Kala Anandarajah, Rajah & Tann)

• Singapore's view on the new rules on digital trade: Provide insights into Singapore's perspective of the potential of new rules on digital trade and how it benefits the trade relationship with the EU
• Practical considerations for businesses: How to navigate amongst the new rules and capitalize on the new trade environment.

9:25-9:55: Q&A Session.

This is a free event exclusively for the Swedish business community.