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Decision

4 November 2024: UK-Singapore Committee on Services, Investment and Government Procurement first meeting minutes

Updated 1 July 2026

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The first meeting of the Sub-Committee on Services, Investment and Government Procurement (SIGP) under the UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (UKSGFTA) took place on 4 November 2024 via video conference.

Venue: Video conference

Time: 8:30am to 10:30am GMT / 4:30pm to 6:30pm SGT

Welcome and introductions

The UK and Singapore introduced their respective delegations. Both parties welcomed the fact that the committee was taking place.

Sub-committee secretariat

The UK and Singapore adopted the agenda for the committee.

UK-Singapore FTA Chapter 8 review clause

The UK and Singapore mutually agreed that it was not necessary to action the FTA Chapter 8 review clause (Article 8.63) at this time due to already strong trade and investment linkages via the FTA and Digital Economy Agreement (DEA), as well as the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) which will further enhance trading terms between the UK and Singapore.

The UK and Singapore agreed to keep the option open to action the Chapter 8 review in the future, at the request of either party.

The UK’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ) led a discussion on facilitating UK-Singapore legal services trade. MoJ began by noting the close legal services trading ties between the UK and Singapore and ongoing positive government cooperation in this space.

The UK noted that UK law firms in Singapore have requested greater communication with the Singaporean Ministry of Law (MinLaw) to assist them with their establishment in Singapore.

The UK also said that they have received feedback from firms that they would benefit from increased clarity on licensing processes, including on renewal criteria and licence application timelines.

The UK requested clarity around the scope of a MinLaw review looking into the regulatory framework for law practices in Singapore and what the impact may be on foreign lawyers and law firms.

Singapore informed the UK that this review was part of their regular review of the regulatory framework for the legal services sector. Singapore said that the committee leading the review includes legal practitioners from both Singaporean and foreign law firms.

The UK raised the removal of 8 UK universities from the approved university list for the requalification of foreign lawyers in Singapore. The UK requested clarification on how the universities list is assessed and whether there is scope to add further reputable universities to the list.

Singapore stated that they welcome foreign law firms and foreign qualified lawyers to practise in Singapore and were not taking any measures against UK universities.

The UK and Singapore agreed to discuss this issue further in writing.

The UK and Singapore agreed to conduct the Legal Services Review Clause (footnotes in appendices 8-A-1, 8-A-2, and 8-B-1) in a light-touch manner. The UK and Singapore agreed to provide an overview of their respective laws and regulations governing foreign lawyers and law firms, including any updates since the FTA came into effect or upcoming changes.

The UK provided an update on its respective laws and regulations governing foreign lawyers and law firms.

Singapore welcomed this update and offered to provide its respective update in writing. The UK thanked Singapore for this.

The UK and Singapore agreed to continue to co-operate in respect to legal services, including updating each other on changes in their regulatory regimes and continuing discussions on any issues falling into scope of the review clause.

Competition and related matters chapter – Section C subsidies review clauses

The UK and Singapore discussed 2 subsidies review clauses

  • a review of implementation of Section C on subsidies (at Article 11.10)
  • a review to consider the development of new rules applicable to subsidies (at Article 11.8.2)

The UK presented on its domestic subsidies regime and gave views on the 2 review clauses.

Singapore presented on its domestic subsidies regime.

The UK and Singapore agreed not to action the review clauses further at this time but welcomed continued dialogue and open exchange on the subject of subsidies.

The UK-Singapore FTA has transparency requirements to report on subsidies every 2 years. The UK asked Singapore whether it foresaw any challenges meeting those transparency requirements. Singapore confirmed that it did not see any challenges meeting these requirements.

Digital co-operation – trade digitalisation and DEA implementation

The UK discussed the opportunities presented by trade digitalisation and the success of the recent trade digitalisation pilot between the UK and Singapore.

The UK proposed that thought be given as to how the UK and Singapore can work together to drive wider business adoption of trade digitalisation processes. The UK proposed bringing together business and government to support industry awareness and adoption, something which could include a joint event or roundtable.

Singapore expressed an interest in this proposal, and the UK and Singapore agreed to explore how best to take it forward.

The UK highlighted the achievements made under the DEA and associated memoranda of understanding (MoUs). The UK spoke about its efforts to monitor and promote utilisation of the DEA, with a particular focus on business engagement.

Singapore shared its approach to stakeholder engagement and the challenges of measuring DEA utilisation.

The UK led a discussion on future areas of prioritisation for cooperative work conducted under the DEA. The UK proposed cyber security and lawtech as areas which have seen significant success, and that could be prioritised for future work.

The UK and Singapore agreed that good progress has been made in these areas and discussed the value of ongoing co-operation.

Singapore requested that the UK get back to them in writing with more detailed proposals for continuing cooperation in these priority areas.

The UK flagged that it would reach out to Singapore in the coming months in writing with regards to potential extensions to the territorial application of the DEA, in line with the text of the agreement. Singapore noted this and looked forward to receiving further information.

UK procurement updates – Procurement Act and UK entities

The UK delivered a presentation to Singapore on the incoming UK Procurement Act 2023.

The UK agreed to provide additional details about the act and address any questions from Singapore once the act comes into effect in February 2025. Further information on the Procurement Act 2023 will be made publicly available in February 2025 on GOV.UK.

Singapore welcomed the UK’s update and agreed to look at the information when published and follow up with the UK if needed.

Next steps and any other business

Neither the UK nor Singapore raised any other business.

The UK and Singapore agreed on a summary of the actions.

Parties discussed when to convene the second SIGP sub-committee in 2026. A tentative timeline of 2 years for the next subcommittee to be held was agreed upon by both parties.

Closing remarks

Parties noted the value of this first dialogue as the beginning of a long and comprehensive relationship on SIGP. Parties look forward to meeting again at the second SIGP sub-committee.

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