RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/W/ 112 
16 September 2016  
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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  SINGAPORE  
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 26 AND 28 JULY 2016  
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.bla nquart@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 30 September 2016 . 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
SINGAPOUR  
PROJET DE COMPTE REN DU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 26 ET 28 JUILLET 201 6 
Les délégations sont inv itées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@w to.org ) le 30 septembre 2016  au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
SINGAPUR  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 26 Y 28 DE JULIO DE 2016 
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 30 de septiembre de 2016  las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
 
______________ _ 
 WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
SINGAPORE  
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETI NG 
Chairperson: Ms Irene Young (Hong Kong, China)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  3 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F SINGAPORE  ................................  4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  7 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ........................  11 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF SINGAPO RE AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  41 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAI RPERSON  ................................ .........................  47 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by Singapore are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/343/Add.1 and will be available 
online at ht tp://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The seventh Trade Policy Review of Singapore was held on 26 and 28 July 2016. The 
Chairperson, Ms. Irene Young (Hong Kong, China), welcomed the delegation of Sin gapore headed 
by Mr. Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Trade and Industry; the 
delegation from Singapore; and the discussant, H.E. Ambassador Fernando De Mateo (Mexico).  
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Trade Policy Review s and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by Singapore was contained in document 
WT/TPR/G/343 and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/343.  
1.3.  Questions by the following delegations had been submitted in writing before the deadl ine and 
had been transmitted to the delegation of Singapore: Malaysia; Switzerland; Mexico; Australia; 
Chinese Taipei; Canada; Hong Kong, China; China; United States; the Sultanate of Oman; Brazil; 
and Japan. The following delegations submitted written que stions after the deadline: New Zealand; 
Republic of Korea; Indonesia; Chile; Peru; India; Thailand; South Africa; European Union; 
Ecuador; and Colombia. These questions had also been transmitted to the delegation of Singapore.  
1.4.  At the last TPR meeting in 20 12, Members had praised the strong economic fundamentals, 
which had allowed Singapore to rebound quickly from the global financial crisis. Since the last TPR, 
Singapore's economy had continued to perform well, although the pace of growth had been more 
mode rate than in the past. Members had also commended Singapore for its openness to trade and 
investment, and for creating an exemplary environment for doing business. There had been no 
policy change with regard to liberalizing the few remaining investment res trictions, as some 
Members had proposed for consideration.  
1.5.  Members had noted at the last TPR that Singapore had been facing new challenges, 
particularly with regards to lagging productivity growth and competitiveness. In response, for 
several years now, t he Government had focused on restructuring the economy from labour 
intensive growth towards innovation -led growth and higher productivity. An incentive package had 
been put in place to encourage skill -enhancing investments in the workforce and labour -saving 
technologies. Questions had been raised then and now again regarding the nature of some of 
these incentives, and the Chairperson thought Members might benefit if Singapore could shed 
more light on its fiscal privileges and other incentive schemes.  
1.6.  Overal l, it seemed that Singapore's trade policies had been quite stable, with few major 
changes over the last four years. Nonetheless, in relation to the tariff regime, Members had 
continued to enquire about the prospect of increasing the binding coverage and r educing the gap 
between bound and applied rates, in order to enhance predictability. Questions had also been 
raised regarding other existing policies such as rice stockpiling and vehicle quotas.  
1.7.  Another recurrent issue of interest was the role played by th e State, the government -linked 
companies, statutory boards and their companies in the economy, as well as the different forms of 
export assistance administered by the International Enterprise Singapore, in particular through its 
Global Company Partnership Programme and Market Readiness Assistance programme.  
1.8.  There were of course new policy initiatives and developments. For example, in the area of 
intellectual property rights, there were new website blocking provisions to tackle copyright 
infringement; a new patent positive grant system had also been introduced; and GI protection 
enhanced. There were also notable developments relating to legal services and preferential trade 
agreements, which had attracted Members attention.  
1.9.  Apart from the specific measures, t here seemed to be a general interest in the institutional 
setup itself, such as the work of the Non -Trade Measures (NTM) Unit and the Trade Academy 
within the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Members were also interested in the priorities of the 
newly -estab lished Committee on the Future Economy, which was due to make recommendations 
by the end of this year on how to transform the Singaporean economy so that it remained 
competitive and helped pick future growth industries. The Chairperson was sure they would hear 
more of this from the Singapore delegation.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F SINGAPORE (MR. LOH KHUM 
YEAN)  
2.1.  Thank you, Madam Chair, for the kind introduction.  
2.2.  I would also like to express our appreciation to Ambassador Fernando De Mateo for agreeing 
to be the Discussant for our TPR, and also our thanks to the WTO Secretariat for the hard work in 
putting together their report and for organizing the proceedings this week.  
2.3.  The WTO's rules -based multilateral trading system remains the cornerston e of Singapore's 
trade policy. The fundamental principles of our trade and economic policies have not changed since 
our last TPR in 2012. We remain committed to our long -standing, consistent approach of 
advocating open markets, competition and innovation, and deeper economic integration with the 
rest of the world. We view the TPR as an invaluable opportunity and exercise in promoting greater 
transparency and understanding of each Member's regime, and we appreciate the opportunity to 
share our trade policies  and practices with WTO Members. Efforts to promote greater transparency 
are even more important in today's context of emerging protectionist pressures in several 
economies. Singapore will continue to support efforts that promote transparency and ultimatel y a 
robust global trading system.  
2.4.  Singapore's trade regime and policies have been extensively covered in the comprehensive 
report by the Secretariat and in our Government report. I would like to therefore focus my 
remarks today on providing Members with t he context within which Singapore's trade policies and 
practices are situated, as well as some of the measures we have taken in restructuring our 
economy since our last TPR.  
Singapore, an island city -state  
2.5.  First, Singapore is a small island city -state. Our  physical land area is only about 720 square 
kilometres, not much larger than Lake Geneva. Within these 720 square kilometres, we house over 
5 million people. This has several implications for us. It means that we have no domestic 
hinterland, and no other option but to maximize the returns on the limited land that we have. Our 
relatively small domestic market also means that we cannot be insular. Our integration into the 
global economy is a necessity to create good jobs for our people, and to remain economi cally 
vibrant.  
2.6.  Second, Singapore has no natural resources and virtually no primary agriculture and fisheries 
industry. Over 90% of our food is imported. The free and efficient flow of goods across borders is 
therefore of utmost importance to us. For examp le, our approach to food security is premised not 
on self -sufficiency, but on access to an international and diverse selection of foodstuff while 
ensuring that public health and safety are preserved.  
2.7.  Third, Singapore is at the same time a young and an "old " country. As a nation, we have just 
turned 50 last year. However, our population is rapidly ageing. Our total fertility rate stands at a 
low 1.25. This means that our growth cannot be labour input -driven, but rests on a combination of 
productivity, innova tion and trade -led growth.  
2.8.  Simply put, trade is and has always been Singapore's lifeblood. Our total trade in goods and 
services is nearly four times the size of our GDP. Trade accounts for about 60% of our GDP and 
half of total employment.  
Restructuring  for productivity and innovation -led growth  
2.9.  Being a small open economy, our economic performance is greatly affected by the ebb and 
flow of the global economy. The overall sluggishness in the global economy in recent years has 
been challenging for Singapor e. Last year, our economy grew at a moderate pace of 2%, 
compared to an annual average growth of 3.9% between 2012 and 2014. Our GDP forecast this 
year is for growth of between 1% to 3%.  
2.10.   Within today's globalized economy where we are all part of and conne cted to global value 
chains, Singapore has maintained an open trade regime. We do not shield our companies from WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  external competition as we believe that their long -term survival and ability to thrive are anchored 
on their ability to remain competitive and t o access global markets.  
2.11.   Since our last TPR, we have worked to restructure our economy and keep up with the 
changing global economic environment. We have identified productivity -led and innovation -led 
growth as the most sustainable way for us to continue our development, especially in view of our 
ageing society and our manpower constraints.  
2.12.   Working together with partners from the private and people's sectors, the Government is 
playing a key role to facilitate this transition to boost productivity. Some me asures we have put in 
place to help our industries and people include the following:  
 We launched an "Industry Transformation Programme" earlier this year with the aim to 
promote greater technology adoption and innovation within and across our industries. To 
support this shift, we will be investing heavily to upgrade our research, innovation and 
enterprise ecosystem; we will be focusing on domains of particular relevance to us such as 
Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Health and Biomedical Sciences, U rban Solutions 
and Sustainability, as well as Services and the Digital Economy.  
 We also launched a national initiative called "SkillsFuture" in November 2014. And this is 
meant to spur individual efforts to continually upgrade and acquire relevant skills a nd 
knowledge, as well as to nurture a culture and mindset of lifelong learning.  
Maintaining an open and competitive economy  
2.13.   At the same time, we have continued efforts to maintain a domestic regime that is 
conducive to business activity, promotes market l iberalization and ensures fair competition. 
Services plays an important role in the Singapore economy, accounting for nearly 70% of our GDP 
in 2015. Singapore seeks to ensure transparency and non -discrimination in a market that 
welcomes foreign investments  both in traditional sectors such as finance and transport, but also in 
newer sectors like energy and urban solutions. We have updated our intellectual property policies 
to ensure that they are effective in supporting businesses and in spurring innovation.  We have also 
worked to keep business start -up costs low, and invested in the development of research and 
design capabilities.  
2.14.   In the area of Trade Facilitation, we are currently working to further improve our national 
trade window, TradeNet, to make it e ven more business friendly for traders and enterprises. We 
are hoping to build a new integrated National Trade Platform that will allow for seamless electronic 
data sharing among government agencies and even more groups of business stakeholders such as 
trade financiers.  
2.15.   To address the challenge of Non -Tariff Measures, or NTMs, we have recently established a 
dedicated NTM Unit within the Ministry of Trade and Industry in October 2014. This is as an 
inter-agency to help identify and address NTMs faced by comp anies based in Singapore and to 
ensure that our trade policies are consistent with our international obligations.  
2.16.   While our foremost trade priority remains the WTO's multilateral trade system, we have also 
actively sought deeper economic integration with p artner markets. These have included regional 
initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community which was established last year, as well as 
regional and bilateral trade agreements such as the Trans -Pacific Partnership Agreement, and 
bilateral FTAs such as th e one that we recently concluded with Turkey. Our pursuit of Regional 
Trade Agreements and other economic cooperation activities are based on our firm belief that 
these complement the objectives of the multilateral trading system and can serve as building 
blocks for one another.  
2.17.   Early this year, we launched the "Committee on the Future Economy", or CFE. We are 
seeking to identify future growth opportunities and strategies in order to increase the resilience of 
our economy as we continue on the transition t owards productivity and innovation -led growth. The 
work for this committee is ongoing and will focus on five key areas, namely future growth 
industries and markets; corporate capabilities and innovation; jobs and skills; urban development 
and infrastructur e; and global connectivity. The CFE will draw from a wide range of expertise 
across the public and private sectors and hopes to complete its work by the end of 2016.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  WTO – the cornerstone  
2.18.   In the face of an increasingly challenging global environment, Singa pore remains committed 
to staying the course in its economic restructuring expanding our international economic space to 
create opportunities and modernizing our regulatory regime and facilitating trade through our 
domestic policies.  
2.19.   We deeply appreciate and thank all Members for your questions and your active 
participation, which has provided helpful perspectives to our trade and economic policies. We 
acknowledge that there will always be areas where we can further improve on, and will carefully 
consider all the feedback that has been received.  
2.20.   In summary, just to say that as a small island city state dependent on trade, Singapore is 
an advocate for the importance of the WTO. We support the multilateral trading system as the 
foundation for global economic  growth and development. We look forward to continue working 
alongside other Members in the regular bodies and in negotiations towards ensuring the WTO's 
continued strength and relevance. Thank you.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  
3.1.  Señora Presidente, Irene B. K. Young, Secretario Permanente Sr. Loh Khum Yean, 
Embajadora Yee Woan Tan, colegas. Es un honor para mí estar hoy como ponente en este Examen 
de las políticas comerciales de Singapur.  
Temas generales  
3.2.  Quisiera comenzar mi intervención recordando al Sr. Le e Kuan Yew, el arquitecto de la gran 
transformación de Singapur, quien alguna vez dijo que "si quieres alcanzar tus metas y tus 
sueños, no puedes hacerlo sin disciplina".  
3.3.  Es este espíritu de disciplina el que ha llevado a Singapur a un impresionante creci miento 
económico de 9,5% en promedio anual desde su independencia en 1965. No es una coincidencia 
que se hayan escrito múltiples libros sobre el Modelo de Singapur, el milagro de Singapur, la 
transformación de Singapur en uno de los dragones asiáticos y ot ros títulos semejantes.  
3.4.  Actualmente, Singapur muestra sólidas variables macroeconómicas, como una inflación por 
debajo del 2%, un déficit fiscal de 0,5% del PIB, un superávit en cuenta corriente del 20% del PIB, 
un PIB per cápita que, en términos de poder  de compra, se coloca en el quinto lugar del mundo, y 
una tasa de desempleo a niveles inferiores al 2%. Si bien cuenta con una deuda pública que 
representa el 105% del PIB, se trata fundamentalmente de bonos expedidos para asistir al Central 
Provident Fund , quien administra la contribución del fondeo de pensiones. El Gobierno de Singapur 
no se ha endeudado para financiar su gasto público desde los años 80 y no tiene deuda externa.  
3.5.  No es, pues, de sorprender, que el país esté posicionado en el primer lugar mundial del índice 
sobre facilidad de hacer negocios del Banco Mundial; en el segundo lugar en el de competitividad; 
en los primeros lugares en los de bienestar social y desarrollo humano; en el tercer lugar entre los 
centros financieros en el mundo; en el  sexto en términos del tamaño de su marina mercante; y en 
el decimonoveno lugar en desarrollo de la industria de la información, cómputo y 
telecomunicaciones. Además, cuenta con uno de los puertos marítimos con mayor ocupación en el 
mundo, y el aeropuerto de Changi se ubica entre los primeros a nivel global por el tráfico aéreo 
que recibe.  
3.6.  Sin embargo, también hay algunas estadísticas que no son tan favorables. Por ejemplo, la 
distribución del ingreso familiar es una de las peores en Asia, con un coeficien te de Gini que ubica 
a Singapur en el lugar 32 del mundo. La población está envejeciendo rápidamente, con 34 años 
como mediana de edad, es decir, la mitad de la población tiene más de 34 años, y un índice de 
dependencia de adultos mayores del 16% de la pob lación. El crecimiento de la población está muy 
por debajo de la tasa de reposición. Además, la participación de las mujeres en la fuerza de 
trabajo es relativamente muy reducida.  
3.7.  En los últimos años, el ritmo de crecimiento económico se ha desacelerado, en gran parte 
como resultado del bajo crecimiento del comercio mundial y, especialmente, en la región asiática. 
En el periodo del examen anterior, entre 2007 y 2011, con todo y los efectos de la crisis financiera 
internacional, el PIB de Singapur creció en  promedio 5,9%, mientras que en el periodo del 
presente examen, de 2011 a 2015, lo hizo en 3,6%. Esto se torna más preocupante, cuando los 
pronósticos indican que para este año la economía crecerá a un ritmo todavía menor, aunque con 
una ligera recuperació n en 2017.  
3.8.  Para hacer frente a los retos estructurales, el Gobierno de Singapur estableció el 1 de octubre 
de 2015 el Comitee on the Future Economy a fin de lidiar con cinco áreas cruciales: 
1) identificación de industrias y mercados con potencial de creci miento; 2) capacidades 
corporativas e innovación; 3) empleos y habilidades a fin de rediseñar el mercado laboral; 
4) desarrollo urbano e infraestructura; y 5) conectividad y economía digital.  
3.9.  Es conocido de todos que Singapur es una economía abierta al co mercio internacional. Al día 
de hoy la relación comercio a PIB es casi del 400%. Al tiempo que esta apertura le permitió 
desarrollarse muy rápidamente, a niveles impensables cuando la República de Singapur se 
estableció en 1965, también lo pone en una cond ición vulnerable ante desaceleraciones 
económicas globales, pero principalmente regionales, ya que cerca del 80% de sus exportaciones WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  van a la región de Asia y Oceanía. Esto se hizo evidente en 2015 cuando las importaciones de 
China y ASEAN se redujeron el  año pasado en 14% y 12% respectivamente, con el consecuente 
impacto en el sector exportador de Singapur.  
3.10.   Su política de acuerdos con otras regiones del mundo permite diversificar los riesgos, pero 
sólo hasta cierto punto. Proviniendo de un país con 44 ac uerdos de libre comercio y cuyas 
exportaciones dependen en un 80% de un solo mercado, puedo hablar con cierta autoridad sobre 
el tema.  
3.11.   Desde 2011, la tasa de inflación ha bajado constantemente, de 5,3% hasta un crecimiento 
negativo de -0,5% en 2015. Si bie n en el último año esto podría explicarse por la reducción en los 
precios de los energéticos, las viviendas y las primas para certificados de autos, el fantasma de la 
deflación está presente y podría tener efectos muy preocupantes si se suma a cualquier ch oque 
externo. Es posible que las medidas monetarias recientemente implementadas por Singapur 
tengan resultados en 2017, en 2016 se pronostica que los precios prácticamente no tendrán 
variación alguna, pero el riesgo sigue presente si las medidas monetarias  no vienen acompañadas 
de medidas fiscales apropiadas.  
Política comercial  
3.12.   No es nuevo decir que Singapur representa uno de los ejemplos más claros de una 
aplicación exitosa de una política de liberalización comercial y de inversiones, lo que lo ha 
posici onado entre los 10 principales países comerciales del mundo en los últimos años.  
3.13.   Singapur tiene aranceles a 6 productos de toda su tarifa y todos relacionados con bebidas 
alcohólicas. Es cierto que ha abierto sus mercados a esas bebidas alcohólicas en algu nos acuerdos 
de libre comercio.  
3.14.   Sin embargo, de 2011 a 2014, tanto las exportaciones como las importaciones, 
prácticamente se mantuvieron sin cambio. Mientras que para 2015, las exportaciones sufrieron un 
descenso del 14,5%, siendo las exportaciones nacio nales las que tuvieron un mayor impacto, con 
una reducción del 20%. Las importaciones se redujeron en 19% en ese año. Todo esto en 
términos de valor, mientras que por volumen se mantuvieron prácticamente sin cambio.   
3.15.   Es importante reconocer la ambiciosa p olítica en materia de facilitación comercial que 
Singapur ha puesto en marcha desde hace ya varios años. Destaca el establecimiento de un 
sistema basado en el riesgo llamado TradeFIRST, mediante el cual el Departamento de Aduanas 
aplica medidas de facilita ción comercial de conformidad con cinco categorías de empresas, las 
cuales van desde Básica hasta Premium. Sin duda, estos y otros avances le permitieron ser uno de 
los primeros Miembros en ratificar el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio y notificar t odas sus 
medidas bajo la Categoría A.  
3.16.   En materia arancelaria, Singapur continúa aplicando un arancel cero a todos los productos 
salvo a 6 fracciones de su tarifa, esto es, para cervezas y otras bebidas alcohólicas. Cabe resaltar 
que estos aranceles fueron eliminados en sus acuerdos comerciales más recientes. Esperemos que 
en el próximo examen celebremos la eliminación NMF de dichos aranceles, especialmente para la 
cerveza Corona y el Tequila.  
3.17.   En cuanto al nivel de consolidación, sabemos de la disposición d e Singapur de consolidar el 
total de su tarifa en el marco de las negociones más amplias, pero, por otra parte, también es 
cierto que podría generar cierto grado de incertidumbre el que el 30% de sus líneas no tengan un 
techo máximo.  
3.18.   Sus regímenes de lice ncias de importación y prohibiciones e importaciones no han cambiado 
desde su último examen, aunque mantiene un sistema de permisos para todas sus importaciones, 
mediante el cual, en el 99% de los casos, las respuestas se brindan en un plazo de 10 minutos.   
3.19.   Singapur no aplica impuestos ni gravámenes a la exportación, aunque, de conformidad con 
la ley de Reglamentación de las Importaciones y Exportaciones de 1995, exige un permiso de 
exportación para prácticamente todos los productos.   WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  3.20.   Sobre propiedad intel ectual, hubo cambios importantes a la legislación sobre Patentes, la de 
Protección de Obtenciones Vegetales y la de Derechos de Autor. Son encomiables los esfuerzos de 
Singapur en proteger la propiedad intelectual, los que serán complementados una vez que entre 
en vigor la nueva Ley de Indicaciones Geográficas de 2014.  
3.21.   Durante el periodo de examen no hubo cambios importantes en los regímenes de obstáculos 
técnicos al comercio, valoración en aduanas, licencias y prohibición de importaciones, 
antidumping, com pras de gobierno y competencia.   
3.22.   Singapur es un ejemplo del uso eficiente de los incentivos, tanto en manufacturas como en 
los servicios, ya que no sólo tienen como objetivo promover la competitividad, el valor agregado, 
la innovación y la investigación y  desarrollo, sino que están sujetos a revisiones periódicas y, en el 
caso de los servicio, incluyen cláusulas de extinción, mediante las cuales se puede determinar si 
siguen siendo pertinentes, aunque coincido con la Secretaría en que debería haber mayor 
transparencia en cuanto a su presupuesto y lo que se ha dejado de percibir por la ausencia del 
cobro del impuesto respectivo.  
3.23.   Si bien el régimen de inversión prácticamente no registró cambios, los flujos de inversión 
extranjera directa crecieron considerabl emente, al pasar de 48 mil millones de dólares de EE.UU. 
en 2011 a 65 mil millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2015. Sin embargo, sigue habiendo algunas 
restricciones, principalmente en los servicios jurídicos, los servicios de radiodifusión y en el 
sistema banca rio minorista.  
3.24.   Los servicios contribuyeron con alrededor de tres cuartes partes a la economía de Singapur, 
con una participación de un orden similar en el empleo.  
3.25.   Como lo mencioné al principio, Singapur se ha convertido en el tercer centro financiero más 
importante del mundo, sólo detrás de Londres y Nueva York. De acuerdo con el FMI, es un centro 
financiero bien reglamentado y supervisado, y con la capacidad de reaccionar a posibles riesgos 
nacionales y mundiales.  
3.26.   Sin embargo, en el sector bancario minori sta aún presenta restricciones al número de 
establecimientos que los bancos extranjeros pueden operar y al acceso a cajeros automáticos 
administrados por bancos nacionales. Además, aunque no hay límites a la propiedad extranjera en 
los bancos nacionales, S ingapur ha señalado que no permitirá la toma del control extranjero de las 
tres principales instituciones nacionales, las cuales suman en conjunto alrededor del 35% de los 
activos totales del sector bancario.   
3.27.   Por otra parte, Singapur aprobó un proyecto d e modificación a la Ley de Banca para mejorar 
las salvaguardias cautelares e integrar nuevas normas de Basilea III, mejorar la gestión 
empresarial de los bancos, y reforzar los controles de la gestión de los riesgos.   
3.28.   En cuanto a las telecomunicaciones, a  pesar de la extraordinaria tasa de penetración de los 
servicios de telefonía móvil de 158%, de que el 88% de los hogares cuentan con al menos una 
computadora y de tener cobertura de banda ancha por fibra óptica en todo el país, de acuerdo con 
la UIT Singa pur ocupó el decimonoveno lugar en el índice de desarrollo de las TIC en 2015, ocho 
lugares más rezagado que en 2010.  
3.29.   Respecto al transporte marítimo, el puerto de Singapur se ha constituido en uno de los más 
transitados del mundo y en el 2º a nivel mundi al en cuanto al tráfico de contenedores. En 
transporte aéreo, el aeropuerto de Changi se ha convertido en uno de los principales de Asia. Tan 
sólo en 2015 movilizó 55.4 millones de pasajeros y se espera que para 2020, cuando entre en 
funcionamiento la term inal 5, la capacidad de manejo de pasajeros aumente hasta 140 millones al 
año. Con datos de 2015, Singapur cuenta con una red de acuerdos bilaterales de servicios aéreos 
con 130 países, esto es, 37 más que en 2011, de los cuales 60 son acuerdos a cielos ab iertos.   
Avances respecto al TPR de 2012  
3.30.   Ahora me referiré a los señalamientos hechos por los Miembros durante su anterior TPR en 
2012 y las acciones tomadas por Singapur.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  3.31.   En 2012, ciertos Miembros pidieron a Singapur que algunas de sus medidas sanitarias  y 
fitosanitarias fueran reconsideradas a la luz de las técnicas de gestión basadas en el riesgo. En el 
periodo de examen, Singapur eliminó el certificado de "Seis años sin Encefalopatía Espongiforme 
Bovina (EEB)", con lo que desde 2012 su mercado se ha ab ierto gradualmente. También incorporó 
cambios al Reglamento de Productos Alimenticios para establecer obligatoriamente el etiquetado 
nutricional en los envases de grasas y aceites comestibles destinados a la venta al por menor, 
entre otras mejoras de prote cción a sus consumidores.  
3.32.   En inversión extranjera directa, los Miembros pidieron que Singapur considerara la 
posibilidad de suprimir las restricciones a la participación extranjera en los sectores de 
radiodifusión y medios de comunicación, los servicios ju rídicos y los servicios bancarios minoristas. 
Singapur continúa aplicando un límite máximo de 49% a la participación extranjera en el operador 
portuario PSA Corporation y en los servicios de radiodifusión. Por su parte, el ejercicio de la 
abogacía sigue ma nteniendo algunas restricciones aplicables a los abogados con título extranjero y 
a los despachos de abogados extranjeros.  
3.33.   En competencia económica, los Miembros alentaron a Singapur a ampliar el alcance de su 
legislación para incluir las esferas aún exen tas, por ejemplo las actividades y acuerdos del 
Gobierno y los órganos y entidades que actúan por su cuenta. La Ley de Competencia sigue sin 
aplicarse a las actividades, los acuerdos y las prácticas del Gobierno, así como tampoco a las 
juntas o las entidad es que actúen en su nombre. No se aplica tampoco a ciertos sectores como 
energía, telecomunicaciones y servicios postales, medios informativos y servicios aeroportuarios.  
3.34.   Además, de conformidad con el Artículo 34 de la Ley, Singapur puede eximir determinad as 
categorías de acuerdos de las disposiciones relativas a la prohibición de acuerdos, decisiones y 
prácticas anticompetitivas. Por ejemplo, prorrogó hasta finales de 2020 la exención por categorías 
para los acuerdos sobre transporte marítimo por buques de  línea regular.  
3.35.   Si bien Singapur no cuenta con empresas comerciales del Estado, Temasek, cuyo único 
accionista es el Ministerio de Hacienda, opera las inversiones de Singapur en una serie de 
empresas vinculadas en diferentes sectores y su cartera es equiva lente a dos terceras partes del 
PIB del país. Sería importante conocer cuáles son la sociedades que están vinculadas con Temasek 
y cuáles son los criterios que considera para invertir en dichas sociedades.  
3.36.   En servicios, se pidió a Singapur que reconsidera ra los controles de precios que aplica a los 
servicios de telecomunicaciones. Sin embargo, Singapur continúa aplicando una reglamentación de 
precios a los empresarios considerados dominantes de los sectores telecomunicaciones y postal, 
quienes deben solici tar una aprobación a la Autoridad de Desarrollo de la Telecomunicación antes 
de ofrecer, modificar o retirar servicios.  
3.37.   No hay duda alguna de que Singapur cuenta con todos los elementos para continuar siendo 
un referente a nivel mundial por ser una economí a abierta, transparente y eficiente, lo que le ha 
permitido incursionar con éxito en las cadenas globales de producción.  
3.38.   Finalmente, Señora Presidente, concluiré como inicié mi intervención, citando al Sr. Lee 
Kuan Yew: "I have no regrets, I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There's 
nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore, 
What have I given up? My life".  
3.39.   Felicidades a Singapur, por todos sus logros, y mis mejores deseos de éxi to en el presente 
examen.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S 
MALAYSIA  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.1.  I am making this statement on behalf of ASEAN.  
4.2.  In 1967, Singapore became one of the founding members of ASEAN and has always been at 
the forefront of bringing together the collect ive ASEAN Economy to where it is today.  
4.3.  Being the most progressive ASEAN member in terms of trade and investment, the 2014 
ASEAN Trade figures show Singapore with the highest GDP per capita in ASEAN, as well as 
bringing in US$776 billion in total trade an d US$72 billion of foreign direct investment. That is 
about 30 % of ASEAN's total trade and 50 % of total FDI inflows into ASEAN. Singapore is therefore 
a significant driving force to ASEAN's economic growth.  
4.4.  ASEAN notes that since Singapore's last review, e conomic g rowth was at a modest pace of 
2% due to the continued low oil prices and other factors which have affected significant sectors of 
the economy. Even so, Singapore has managed to reduce its unemployment rate and committed 
to improving and training l ocal businesses and supporting SMEs and enterprise growth in order to 
maintain a stable business environment.  
4.5.  Singapore has also strongly encouraged innovation and adoption of technology, especially by 
SMEs, to achieve innovation -led growth. In this, it i s a staunch supporter and co -sponsor of the 
WTO member -led initiative on fostering the participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises 
(MSMEs) in the global trade.  
4.6.  As a strong advocate of the multilateral trading system, Singapore is ac tively promoti ng 
trade liberaliz ation and participating in most of the plurilateral negotiations in which the benefits 
are multilateralized. Singapore's contribution to advance the WTO is very much appreciated. We 
congratulate Ambassador Tan Yee Woan for her dedication as Chair of the Committee on Trade 
and Development in Special Session in finding a balanced outcome for developing countries. We 
also highly value the close working relationship that we all have with Ambassador Tan and her 
team here in Geneva.  
MALAYSIA  
4.7.  Malaysia applauds Singapore's consistent economic growth during the review period between 
2012 and 2014. At the same time, we note the impact of the challenging global economic 
environment on Singapore's economic performance in 2015.  
4.8.  Since the last Trade Poli cy Review, Malaysia and Singapore have maintained a robust and 
vibrant bilateral trade and investment relations. Singapore remains Malaysia's second largest 
trading partner and the largest export destination during the review period. In 2015, trade 
between  Malaysia and Singapore was valued at US$59.5 billion, a slight increase from the 
US$57.4  billion recorded in 2014. Singapore was Malaysia's largest export destination for 2015 
with total exports of US$27.8 billion. Companies from Singapore are among Malay sia's main 
investors with over 3,000 manufacturing projects valued at US$17.2 billion.  
4.9.  Last week, Malaysia and Singapore signed the MoU to build a High Speed Rail linking Kuala 
Lumpur and Singapore. It is seen as a game changer particularly in expediting m ovements of 
goods, services and people between countries. The project when completed is expected to trim 
travel times to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore just 90 minutes, as compared with the four to five 
hours needed to travel by road. It would certainly improv e the importance of seamless movement 
of people between the two countries. Currently, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are already served 
by 46 flights by several airlines.  
4.10.   Malaysia and Singapore are working closely with other ASEAN member States to further 
strengthen our shared objectives of creating a single market and production base, with free flow of 
goods, services and investment, and people under the ASEAN Economic Community. Singapore 
will be assuming the role of ASEAN Chair next year and we look forward to Singapore's dynamic WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  leadership to foster a stronger ASEAN as we embarked on a more comprehensive external links 
with our trade partners starting with the regional comprehensive economic partnership.  
4.11.   At the multilateral level, Malaysia commends Singapore 's strong and active support for the 
multilateral trading system. Singapore has always been described as an A student among the 
Members of the WTO particularly in meeting its bound obligations. We look forward to Singapore 
to continue to contribute towards  a successful Post -Bali and Nairobi outcomes as we move towards 
MC11.  
4.12.   We commend Singapore for its commitment in assisting other developing Members and 
least developing Members to integrate into the multilateral trading system including providing 
technical  assistance and capacity building initiatives. Under the Singapore -WTO Third Country 
Training Programme (TCTP), Singapore's collaboration with the WTO Secretariat on various 
programmes for developing country Members in the Asia -Pacific region has certainly  been 
beneficial to many.  
SWITZERLAND  
4.13.   This being my last intervention at a trade policy review as the Permanent Representative of 
Switzerland to WTO, it gives me particular pleasure to address a delegation from Singapore – a 
true friend of the system whose  active and constructive role in this organization Switzerland highly 
appreciates.  
4.14.   As knowledge -based, open and trade -oriented economies with strong services sectors, 
Singapore and Switzerland are both partners and competitors in many fields. Let me just m ention 
pharmaceuticals, watches, financial and logistical services, R&D or the hosting of global and 
regional headquarters of international businesses where our two countries play important roles.  
4.15.   Singapore is Switzerland's main trading partner in ASEAN – with the value of trade in 
services exceeding that of trade in goods three times. Singapore is also our first FDI destination in 
the ASEAN region, with a capital stock of about US$32 billion. This puts Swiss companies in 7th 
place as foreign investors in the Singaporean economy.   
4.16.   Given its particularly high trade -to-GDP ratio of 370%, Singapore, just as Switzerland, has 
been highly exposed to sluggish, unstable world economic growth during the reporting period. All 
the more remarkably, GDP in Singapore ha s continued to expand at an average of 3.6% per 
annum.  
4.17.   Pursuing the Singapore success story will mean meeting new challenges, such as in regard 
of demographics and the level of skills of the workforce. We welcome the proactive way the 
Singaporean Governmen t is embracing these challenges, including through the creation of a 
"Committee on the Future Economy" last year, and we will follow with interest the policy options 
coming out of the Committee and its sub -bodies.  
4.18.   For an open, highly competitive economy w ith low average applied duties for goods and a 
dense network of preferential trade agreements, Singapore's WTO binding coverage of only 70% 
continues to look odd to us. We note Singapore's willingness to increase its binding coverage in 
future WTO tariff n egotiations, as expressed in the answer to one of our written questions, but 
would also like to encourage autonomous steps in that direction, in the interest of a more 
predictable regulatory framework.  
4.19.   From the Secretariat's very informative report, we not e and commend the increased activity 
and impact of Singapore's competition authorities. This includes the first international cartel 
infringement decision in 2014, and the lead taken by Singapore in sharing expertise in competition 
matters with other ASEAN  countries.  
4.20.   In preparing for today's meeting, we found it helpful that Singapore's replies to written 
questions were circulated several days ago, in line with the so -called "alternative timeframe" for 
TPRs. In the context of the current review of the Trad e Policy Review Mechanism, and in order to 
enhance the value of this important monitoring tool, we would like to encourage Members to 
consider broadening the use of this practice.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.21.   Let me conclude by expressing my appreciation for the work done here in Gene va by 
Ambassador Tan Yee Woan and her very able team. Your contributions, Yee Woan, as Chair of the 
Trade and Development Committee in Special Session and in many other formal and informal 
bodies, as well as those of your delegation for the good of the Mul tilateral Trading System, are 
highly valued.  
MÉXICO  
4.22.   Es digno de destacar la determinación de Singapur por mantener un régimen comercial 
abierto, el cual aplica aranceles únicamente a 6 líneas arancelarias, esto es a la cerveza y bebidas 
alcohólicas. Sin em bargo, al contar con sólo el 70% de sus líneas consolidadas, este hecho podría 
generar cierto grado de incertidumbre a los operadores comerciales, por lo que sería muy 
importante que Singapur pudiera consolidar esta apertura comercial.  
4.23.   Singapur es todo un referente en cuanto a la facilitación del comercio. Fue uno de los 
primeros Miembros de la OMC en depositar su instrumento de aceptación del Acuerdo sobre 
Facilitación del Comercio, en el que incluyó todas las disposiciones del Acuerdo en categoría A.  
4.24.   Reconocemos los esfuerzos de Singapur en reestructurar su economía para promover un 
crecimiento impulsado por la productividad y la innovación, el cual está basado en 4 ejes 
principales. Estamos convencidos de que éste es el camino correcto para enfrentar sus actuales 
desafíos, como el envejecimiento de su población y la escasez de mano de obra.  
4.25.   Es el sector de los servicios el que más contribuye a su economía con cerca tres cuartas 
partes del PIB. Singapur se ha convertido en uno de los tres centros financier os más importantes 
del mundo. En transporte, el puerto de Singapur se ha consolidado como uno de los más 
transitados del mundo y el aeropuerto de Changi, en 2020 cuando sus remodelaciones concluyan, 
podrá movilizar anualmente hasta 140 millones de pasajero s, poco más de toda la población de mi 
país. 
4.26.   México y Singapur compartimos muchos intereses y valores, tanto en la OMC como en otros 
foros comerciales, como APEC y recientemente el Acuerdo de Asociación Transpacífico. Hace unas 
pocas semanas, el Presidente  de Singapur, Sr. Tony Tan, realizó una visita de Estado en México, 
en la que ambos mandatarios resaltaron la importancia de la relación binacional y en donde 
suscribieron tres acuerdos de cooperación binacional en materia alimentaria y agrícola, para el 
desarrollo y en educación.  
4.27.   México espera seguir colaborando muy de cerca con Singapur en las diferentes actividades 
que nos unen en pro del fortalecimiento del Sistema Multilateral del Comercio.  
4.28.   Antes de concluir, quisiera agradecer a la delegación de Sing apur por los trabajos realizados 
en torno a su séptimo Examen de las políticas comerciales y su esfuerzo en responder a las 
preguntas enviadas por mi delegación. Le deseamos una exitosa continuación y conclusión del 
presente examen.  
AUSTRALIA  
4.29.   Australia wel comes the opportunity to participate in Singapore's Trade Policy Review. We 
have a close bilateral relationship with Singapore encompassing a wide range of shared interests 
including strong trade links. Two -way trade was worth $28.4 billion in 2014 -15, mak ing Singapore 
Australia's fifth -largest trading partner globally. Singapore was also Australia's fifth -largest foreign 
investor investing $80.2 billion in 2014. Australian investment in Singapore was $50.7 billion. 
Singapore is our largest trade and invest ment partner in ASEAN.   
4.30.   Australia notes the four pillar approach to Singapore's trade policy – enhancing productivity 
and innovation -led growth, rules based multilateralism, commitment to trade liberalization and, 
modernising Singapore's domestic regulato ry regime.  
4.31.   Considering the challenging economic environment in which Singapore is operating, 
Australia commends the focus on ensuring stability, boosting skills and productivity and preparing 
for economic transformation.   WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.32.   Australia also commends the focus  on innovation -led growth. Singapore is clearly a world 
leader in building a supportive, flexible environment and innovation culture for emerging 
businesses. Innovation is a key pillar of the Singapore -Australia comprehensive strategic 
partnership (CSP) – which will assist in building our bilateral cooperation in this area.  
4.33.   Australia welcomes Singapore's strong focus on the rules -based multilateral trading system 
as embodied in the WTO. Australia commends the seriousness with which Singapore takes its WTO 
membership and its high level of participation in the WTO agenda.  
4.34.   In this regard, we congratulate Singapore on being the second WTO Member to accept the 
WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, and for its continued support and promotion of the benefits 
of imp lementation of the Agreement to other WTO Members.  
4.35.   Australia further welcomes Singapore's commitment to trade liberalization at a bilateral and 
regional level. The Singapore -Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), which entered into force 
on 28 July 2003, is a central pillar of Australia's economic relationship with Singapore. In May this 
year, Australia and Singapore announced that the Third SAFTA Review was substantially 
concluded. The Third SAFTA Review will further integrate our two economies by locking  in access 
and providing business certainty in trade and investment into the future. It will address 
longstanding "behind the border" issues of interest to Australian services providers, in areas such 
as education, labour mobility and professional services . We also acknowledge Singapore's 
participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TTP) as a further commitment to regional trade 
liberalization.  
4.36.   Finally, noting Singapore's commitment to modernizing its regulatory regime, Australia 
commends Singapore for c ontinuously being ranked first in the World Bank's Ease of Doing 
Business index from 2006 until today.  
4.37.   For this review, Australia has submitted a number of written questions and we appreciate 
Singapore's prompt responses. We wish Singapore a successful TP R. 
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.38.   We are pleased to see Singapore being recognized as a "model of development". This is 
well-deserved when you consider its GDP per capita in 2015 of almost US$53,000, its average 
economic  growth rate of 3.6% per year over the review period, and its low inflation and 
unemployment rates. We are also pleased that, according to our statistics, Singapore is now our 
5th largest trading partner and we are its 6th largest. The total value of two -way trade registered 
between us in 2014 was close on US$29 billion. We believe that both our economies have 
benefited from the fairer and sounder environment for international trade. And, looking to the 
future, with the imminent entry into force of the Agre ement between Singapore and the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP), we 
have great confidence that our bilateral trade relationship is to be further enhanced.  
4.39.   On the subject of trade policies and p ractices, we have already submitted a number of 
questions to Singapore in advance. Our particular interests range from Singapore's measures in 
support of SMEs' participation in public infrastructure projects, to its investment incentive 
schemes, its strate gies for developing innovative capabilities, tobacco control policies, certain 
copyright enforcement practices, measures to counter the decline in exports over a period of 
nineteen consecutive months, its strategies for the future economy, the state -of-play in various 
FTA negotiations, the Competitive Licensing Framework, and, lastly, the electricity packages. We 
thank Singapore for their written answers, which we shall study very carefully and may come back 
with further questions at a later stage.  
4.40.   Even tho ugh it has already a very good record of economic performance, the Government of 
Singapore, to its credit, continues to take steps to restructure and transform the economy towards 
innovation -led growth and higher productivity. As an important trading partn er of Singapore, we 
naturally look forward to its even greater success in the future.  
4.41.   Finally, I would like to commend Ambassador Tan for her able leadership and important 
contribution to the WTO work.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  CANADA  
4.42.   Allow me to highlight two milestones of signifi cance, both to Singapore and Canada. It will 
be 20 years in December since Singapore hosted the inaugural WTO Ministerial Conference held in 
1996. Over the past 20 years, Singapore has actively participated in WTO work to support the 
rules-based multilater al trading system and trade liberalization. Also, 2015 marked the 50th 
anniversary of the independence of Singapore as well as the establishment of diplomatic ties 
between our two countries. Canada is proud to have been one of the first countries to have 
established diplomatic relations with Singapore in 1965.  
4.43.   Over this half -century of friendship and cooperation, our people -to-people and commercial 
ties have undergone remarkable expansion, as evidenced by the numerous commercial and 
cultural exchanges, as w ell as linkages between academic institutions.  
4.44.   Canada and Singapore enjoy strong education and people -to-people links: there are close to 
16,000 Singaporean alumni of Canadian universities, and some 83,000 Canadians visit Singapore 
every year.  
4.45.   Singapore is  one of Canada's largest exports markets in Southeast Asia. In 2015, the value 
of Canada's bilateral merchandise trade with Singapore was $2.46 billion. Singapore is Canada's 
second -largest destination in Southeast Asia for foreign direct investment (FDI) abroad, and 
Canada's largest source of FDI from Southeast Asia.  
4.46.   Singapore plays an active role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 
region, one of the globe's fastest growing regions and the country's most important market and 
largest trad ing partner. As a group, ASEAN ranks as Canada's sixth largest trading partner when 
compared with individual countries, and remains a top priority for the Government of Canada. 
Singapore played an important role as Canada's coordinating partner in ASEAN fr om 2012 to 2015. 
Canada thanks Singapore for its leadership role and looks forward to continuing to work with 
Singapore to enhance our economic engagement with ASEAN member States.  
4.47.   During the period under review, Singapore has consolidated its status as a major player in 
the development of the Asia -Pacific economy, a recognized global financial centre, and a 
transportation and commercial hub for the region, positioning itself as a gateway to Asia where its 
influence continues to grow through expanding comme rcial links and a network of 21 regional and 
bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with 32 trading partners.  
4.48.   Singapore continues to be one of the most business -friendly economies in the world and 
best place to do business. According to the World Bank Ease  of Doing Business 2016 survey, 
Singapore retained the number one spot in 2015, out of 189 countries.  
4.49.   Singapore's skilled work force, world -class infrastructure, strong intellectual property 
protection, and good corporate governance have attracted investme nts from over 
7,000  multinational companies, including over 120 Canadian firms.  
4.50.   However, the recent subdued global growth and the restructuring of regional economies 
have had an impact on Singapore's economic growth. According to the May 2016 statement of the 
International Monetary Fund (IMF), growth has slowed down markedly in recent years and will 
continue to weaken. Real GDP grew by 2% in 2015, down from 3.3% in 2014. Indeed, Singapore's 
report notes this slowdown in growth and the challenges of a small economy in trying to reverse 
this trend. Growth is constrained by an aging labour force, tighter limits on foreign workers, 
constraints in land and energy and the costs of the shift to a productivity -based growth model. 
Looking ahead, the IMF projects GDP growth to slow further to 1.8% in 2016 as the full impact of 
the 2015 slowdown in global trade and capital outflows is felt.  
4.51.   Facing similar challenges, including a demographic shift and the impacts of a weaker global 
economy, Canada too recognizes the cont ribution of strategic investments in skills and training, 
infrastructure and innovation to a sustained and inclusive economic growth. We therefore 
encourage Singapore to continue with its economic restructuring to enhance productivity and 
innovation -led gr owth.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.52.   We turn Singapore's attention to concerns raised by Canada in our advanced written 
questions related to maritime transport, government procurement and energy policy. We 
appreciate the responses received from Singapore and continue to study their resp onses. 
Addressing Members' concerns and questions raised throughout the review will contribute to 
advancing trade liberalization and ultimately strengthening the multilateral trading system.  
4.53.   Canada looks forward to a constructive exchange of views on all a spects of Singapore's 
trade regime and its multi -faceted economy.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
General  
4.54.   Hong Kong, China (HKC) and Singapore have all along been close trading partners, and we 
share a lot of similarities. We are both small and open economies; we both h ave the same 
aspirations to maintain a free and open trade and investment environment; and we both earnestly 
pursue trade liberalisation and facilitation in this Organization, as well as in other regional trade 
fora. 
4.55.   Our bilateral trade relationship has be en growing stronger over time. In 2015, we were each 
other's 5th largest trading partner in goods, with total trade exceeding US$39 billion. Singapore 
also ranked the first in terms of both trade in goods and trade in services with HKC among the ten 
ASEAN Member States. We hope businessmen and investors of both sides will soon be able to 
capitalize on the ASEAN -HK free trade agreement once negotiations are successfully concluded.  
Specific topics  
Supporting the Rules -Based Multilateral Trading System  
4.56.   On the  multilateral front, both HKC and Singapore are staunch supporters of the multilateral 
trading system. In particular, we appreciate Singapore's efforts in working towards stronger 
disciplines on transparency and due process in anti -dumping actions under th e Doha Development 
Agenda. We look forward to working closely with Singapore and other like -minded Members to 
further advance the work in this area.  
4.57.   Like HKC, Singapore also participates in the negotiations on the Environmental Goods 
Agreement (EGA), with the aim of liberalising trade in environmental goods. Together with 
Singapore and other participants, we look forward to the successful conclusion of the EGA as soon 
as possible.  
Trade Facilitation  
4.58.   Another area of WTO work that both of us attach great impo rtance to is Trade Facilitation. 
We appreciate in particular Singapore's trade facilitating customs procedures. For example, 
Singapore operates its Trade Facilitation and Integrated Risk -based System (TradeFIRST), 
whereby Customs accords trade facilitation  measures to companies under a five -tiered scheme 
(from basic to premium). We are pleased to note that when compared with the last TPR report, the 
number of certified companies categorised under the higher tiers has almost been doubled. This 
means that mor e companies can enjoy a greater level of trade facilitation.  
4.59.   We also applaud Singapore for being one of the first WTO Members to deposit its instrument 
of acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). We appreciate that Singapore has notified 
all the provisions of the TFA under its Category A commitments, and will implement them 
immediately upon entry into force of the Agreement.  
Tariffs  
4.60.   Singapore has bound almost 70% of its tariff lines with a simple average bound rate of 
around 7%. It is commendab le that all applied tariffs of Singapore are at zero with the exception 
of only six tariff lines.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  Services  
4.61.   We note that services is a main driver of economic development in Singapore, accounting 
for over two -third of the country's GDP and over 70% of its e mployment. Given the importance of 
this sector, it would be in the interest of Singapore to continue liberalising trade in services, and 
we encourage Singapore to keep up its good efforts in this direction.  
Concluding remarks  
4.62.   Finally, as fellow Member of t he WTO, HKC would like to thank the Singaporean Mission, 
under the capable leadership of Ambassador Tan Yee -woan, for their constructive engagement in, 
and contributions to, the work of the WTO. We wish Singapore a very fruitful and successful TPR.  
CHINA  
4.63.   Singapore maintains one of the most open trade and investment regimes in the world. It is 
also an active player in regional and bilateral trade arrangements. Singapore has built a 
comprehensive FTA network with 21 signed agreements covering over 70% of its trade volume as 
of today. And in the WTO, Singapore has been a staunch and long -standing supporter of the 
Multilateral Trading System, and important contributor to the success of the Bali and Nairobi 
Ministerial meeting. We commend the Ambassador Tan Yee W oan for her significant contribution to 
the multilateral trading system, especially as the chair of CTDSS and look forward to working 
closely with our Singapore colleagues in the future.  
4.64.   Singapore and China shares cultural roots and maintains close relatio ns. China is the largest 
trading partner of Singapore, both in terms of import and export. The trade volume reached 
US$52 billion in 2015, and there are 7500 Chinese companies registered in Singapore, almost 
doubled from just five years ago. On the other h and, Singapore's cumulative investment in China 
totalled US$79 billion by the end of 2015, and since 2013, Singapore has been China's largest 
foreign investor for three consecutive years. The Sino -Singapore cooperation has set an example 
of how big and sma ll economies can help each other in achieving mutual prosperity.  
4.65.   Building on this success, the two countries are still working closely to further expand the 
bilateral economic cooperation, particularly on the areas such as FTA upgrade and a third flagship  
cooperation project in Chongqing. Singapore also has an important role to play in the 
implementation of China's One Belt and One Road blueprint.  
4.66.   We have submitted written questions to Singapore and appreciate its answers, which are 
timely delivered, and w e will study carefully.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.67.   We have looked forward to today's discussion because of our strong partnership with 
Singapore, its significant contributions to the global trading system, and because Singapore is a 
prominent example of trade's benefit s at a time when some stakeholders in some countries are 
questioning the benefits that international trade and engagement can bring.  
4.68.   Singapore's importance as a trading nation surpasses its size and population. For the 
United  States, Singapore is our 17th largest goods trading partner, with US$50 billion in two -way 
goods trade. Singapore is our 19th largest services trading partner, with US$21 billion in two -way 
services trade. Our bilateral FTA with Singapore, our first in Asia, has been in effect since 20 04 
and has led to a 50% increase in our two -way trade, significantly benefiting both our nations. The 
combined stock of our investment in each other's countries is US$200 billion.  
4.69.   Singapore's openness is a defining characteristic. Its deep integration in t he global economy 
has been an important driver of its economic growth and development. Despite external challenges 
during the time frame of this and previous reviews, Singapore's economy continues to perform 
well, with economic growth averaging 3.6%, low i nflation, and low unemployment. If we go back 
to 2004, the year that our bilateral FTA entered into force, Singapore's per capita GDP has more 
than doubled from US$26,000 in 2004 to US$53,000 in 2015, making Singapore one of the most WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  prosperous countries i n the world. This is an impressive long -term economic performance, driven 
by trade.  
4.70.   We commend Singapore's leadership on trade. As we are reminded in Geneva week after 
week, Singapore remains a champion of the multilateral trading system. During the time p eriod of 
this review, Singapore has made important contributions to our work, including by promptly 
ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement, supporting the expansion of the Information Technology 
Agreement, and working towards an Environmental Goods Agr eement that has tremendous 
potential to make green technologies more affordable and accessible by eliminating tariffs on a 
wide range of environmentally friendly products. Singapore's consistent approach to liberalizing 
trade through multilateral, regional , and bilateral initiatives has benefited its economy and those of 
its trading partners.  
4.71.   In the Trans -Pacific Partnership negotiations, Singapore played an important leadership role 
in concluding a comprehensive, high -standard agreement that opens markets,  addresses new and 
emerging issues in the regional and global economy, and sets important new regional and global 
standards in important areas such as worker rights, protecting the environment in trade 
agreements, and digital trade. We look forward to work ing with Singapore and our other TPP 
partners to implement this agreement as soon as possible.  We also look forward to working with 
Singapore to advance broader regional economic integration through APEC and our U.S. -ASEAN 
initiatives.  
4.72.   During this review,  we would welcome more information about Singapore's experience and 
perspective in providing technical assistance to build the trade capacity of developing countries 
through its Third Country Training Programs. In the Government Report, Singapore notes the  
contributions of the Singapore -WTO Third Country Training Program, which is one of many similar 
collaborative training programs that Singapore has established with other developed country and 
international organization partners. This innovative approach a ppears to have many advantages, in 
that developed countries are able to leverage resources and beneficiaries are able to benefit from 
the expertise of multiple sponsors. We are very interested in working with Singapore to expand 
our cooperation on trade ac tivities under the Singapore -United States Third Country Training 
Program, established in 2012.  
4.73.   The United States finds itself in the rather unusual position of bringing very little criticism to 
this TPR. In advance of this review, we provided a short list  of questions to Singapore on several 
trade policy issues including policies related to intellectual property, legal services, and import 
licensing. We thank Singapore for its responses. During the discussion today, we are interested in 
learning more about  the Committee on the Future Economy and its efforts to build human capital 
in Singapore and make the economy more resilient.  
4.74.   In a few days' time, President Obama will host Prime Minister Lee at the White House for a 
visit to mark the 50th anniversary of o ur diplomatic relations. This will be an opportunity for our 
two leaders to highlight the success and tremendous growth of our bilateral cooperation in all 
areas including trade and also reflects the closeness of our relationship and the high regard for 
which Singapore's perspectives are held in Washington.  
4.75.   We wish Singapore a successful trade policy review and look forward to further cooperation 
with Singapore on all fronts --bilaterally, regionally, and here at the WTO.  
OMAN  
4.76.   Oman and Singapore enjoy excell ent political, economic and trade relations. With the recent 
entering into force of the Singapore -GCC Free Trade Agreement in which Oman is an active 
member, we anticipate a further expansion and strengthening of our current strong economic and 
trade relat ions in the coming years.  
4.77.   Singapore's economic development during the last decades is no doubt one of the most 
impressive success stories of modern times. Despite the challenging global economic environment 
that we are in, Singapore managed, according to t he Secretariat report, to register on average an 
economic growth of 3.6% per year during the period 2012 -2015. Also both the rates of inflation 
and unemployment have been low averaging around 2% annually. Its investment regime has few WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  restrictions. Singapo re's GDP per capita was around US$53,000 in 2015. These figures no doubt 
attest to the remarkable success of Singapore's economic policy.  
4.78.   Singapore has bound 69.3% of its tariff lines. The simple average bound rate is at 6.9%. 
We are encouraged to note th at according to the Secretariat report, Singapore is prepared to 
increase its binding coverage as part of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations.  
4.79.   We note with great interest the proactive approach adopted by Singapore in meeting the 
ever-changing demands  of a globalized world. Initiatives such as Skillsfuture, which aims to equip 
the coming generations with skills for the future economy, and the recently established Committee 
on the Future Economy, are testament to Singapore's sound economic planning and determination 
to remain as one of the most robust and sustainable economies in the world. Indeed we hope to 
learn from Singapore's experience in this area.  
4.80.   Oman commends Singapore for being a firm supporter of the Multilateral Trading System 
and an active participant in negotiations. Oman also lauds Singapore's strong commitment to 
multilateral trade rules essential for the smooth functioning of the global economy. Even though 
Singapore is a party to several FTAs, it views these as complementary and not as substitutes to 
the Multilateral Trading System.  
BRAZIL  
4.81.   It is a matter of great satisfaction for Brazil to take part in the seventh Trade Policy Review 
of Singapore, a country that epitomizes the spirit of trade openness. Since 2006, Singapore has 
been rank ed first in the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business Index" and, in 2015, Singapore 
obtained the first position in the "Network Readiness Index" published by the World Economic 
Forum. Let me congratulate Singapore for these outstanding results.     
4.82.   The par ticipation of Singapore in this important exercise shows us its strong commitment to 
the multilateral trading system and to this organization. Trade, as we all know, contributes 
significantly to the Singapore's economy. According to both the Government's a nd the 
Secretariat's report, trade in Singapore, considering goods and services, reached almost four times 
the size of its GDP. In that context, Brazil is very interested in all measures taken by Singapore to 
face the slow recovery of international trade.  
4.83.   Since its previous Trade Policy Review, in 2012, Singapore's economy has performed well, 
growing at an average rate of 3.6% per year during 2012 -2015, despite a sluggish global demand. 
In that same period, however, trade with Brazil decreased year by year , reaching US$2.6 billion in 
2015, the lowest level in the period. That trend deserves the careful attention of our Governments.  
4.84.   During the period under review, both Governments have taken important steps to 
strengthen our bilateral relation. The inaugura tion, in Brasilia, of the first Embassy of Singapore in 
Latin America by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, K. Shanmugam, in 2013, and the visit of the then 
Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, to Singapore, in 2015, only 
reinforce s that relationship. Brazil is ready to continue engaging with Singapore to explore and 
develop initiatives that can be beneficial to both our economies.   
4.85.   Bilateral trade comprises a wide range of products, from agricultural to high -technology 
goods. Braz il's main exports to Singapore are vessels, fuel, mineral oils, meat and iron. 
Singapore's main exports to Brazil are electric and mechanical machinery, chemicals, 
pharmaceuticals, plastic and organic chemicals.  
4.86.   Singapore remains an important destination of Brazilian investments through our main 
companies, such as Petrobras, Vale, Brasil Food, Brasken, Seara, Queiros Galvão and Tramontina. 
Brazil's aircraft company, EMBRAER, maintains in Singapore an important flight simulator training 
centre and also a ma intenance site that serves all Asia. On our part, we remain ready to engage 
with Singapore to explore alternatives of investments in Brazil.  
4.87.   Singapore continued support to the multilateral trading system must be commended. 
Among the first to ratify the Tr ade Facilitation Agreement, Singapore has also been very active in 
the discussions related to the trade defence instruments in this house, as stated in its WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  Governments report, attaching great importance to transparency matters. In that regard, Brazil 
invites Singapore to keep its proactive approach in the discussions taking place in Geneva which 
will definitely contribute to the evolution of the multilateral trading system.  
JAPAN  
4.88.   Singapore is an important economic partner in the Asia -Pacific region for Japa n. Japan will 
make continuous efforts to maintain and further develop the strong ties between us.  
4.89.   The report by the Secretariat notes that the economy of Singapore has performed well since 
its last Trade Policy Review, the average growth rate of the countr y's GDP from 2012 to 2015 is 
remarkable at approximately 3.6% and its unemployment rate has stayed very low. Furthermore, 
Japan found the trend positive for the amount of Singapore's FDI since 2012. Japan expects 
Singapore to develop its economy based on a n open business and in a trade environment.  
4.90.   In terms of FTAs, Singapore has entered 21 FTAs into force and concluded three 
Agreements, including the TPP. Furthermore, the country has joined new RTA negotiations. Japan 
commends Singapore on its efforts to l iberalize trade and hopes that these FTAs will contribute to 
strengthen the multilateral trading system.  
4.91.   Let me make some brief comments on specific issues.  
4.92.   With regard to geographical indications, the Secretariat report notes that the new 
Geographical In dications Act will enhance protection measures and was adopted by Singapore's 
Parliament in April 2014, which Japan commends. However, under the new Act, registration of the 
GI is allowed only for a certain category of goods. We hope that Singapore will pr ovide appropriate 
protection for other goods as well.  
4.93.   In terms of legal services, the practice of the Singapore law for foreign law firms is 
restricted for now. We understand that by obtaining a certain type of licence and the forming of a 
co-venture enabl es foreign law firms to practice but it is not easy for foreign law firms to obtain a 
licence and find appropriate partners in Singapore. Japan hopes that Singapore will relax this 
restriction, for example by allowing foreign law firms to employ domestic l awyers.  
4.94.   In conclusion, I would like to express our strong wish to continue the cooperation between 
Singapore and Japan. We wish Singapore a successful and productive TPR.  
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.95.   New Zealand and Singapore have regular and constructive trade and economi c engagement 
based on our shared experience as small, open economies striving to maintain competitiveness in 
an increasingly crowded and complex international environment. In practical and bilateral terms, 
Singapore is an important trading and investment p artner for New Zealand, consistently featuring 
in New Zealand's top ten partner markets for two -way goods trade and inwards investment. Trade 
in services, tourism in particular, is also becoming an increasingly significant component of the 
relationship.  
4.96.   New Zealand commends Singapore's active approach to trade liberalization, in particular its 
free trade agreement agenda and consistent ambition for high -quality and comprehensive 
outcomes, an ambition that New Zealand shares. We recall the way that New Zeala nd and 
Singapore worked together with a shared vision of our bilateral relationship – framed through the 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership - as a stepping stone to support regional and global 
economic integration. In particular, we underline the value of that strategic vision made real 
through the P4 Agreement where together with Chile and Brunei we worked to evolve this 
agreement into the TPP.  
4.97.   We welcome Singapore's ongoing commitment to the rules -based multilateral trading 
system helps to create and sus tain a level playing field for all economies to compete fairly. This 
includes enabling participation in regional and global supply chains, as well as in promoting 
sustainable economic growth.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.98.   Our work together in supporting and sustaining the multilateral  system is a vital element in 
building success both in the past together at Bali and Nairobi, as well as looking ahead to MC11.  
4.99.   We note too that Singapore's commitment to and engagement in the multilateral system 
includes a willingness to divert its own sc arce resource – namely the energy and time of its 
Ambassador – to Chair the Committee on Trade and Development in Special Session. This is a 
practical and meaningful contribution to sustaining multilateralism that further underlines the kinds 
of investment  Members like Singapore are prepared to make in real world terms.  
4.100.   New Zealand notes that Singapore has an international reputation for transparency, ease 
of doing business (in fact sometimes we switch places at the top of this list), and creating an 
environment conducive to effective and efficient trade and investment flows. New Zealand further 
notes Singapore's significant recent investment in economic policies such as the Skills Future and 
the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 Plan, and hopes that  Singapore's experience will 
inform wider international policy debates as economies seek to address their own productivity and 
sustainable growth challenges.  
4.101.   We note the range of FTAs to which Singapore and New Zealand are party, including the 
recently -signed Trans -Pacific Partnership which evolved from earlier agreements involving both our 
countries. Our collaboration continues in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership 
negotiations which builds on our own ASEAN -Australia -New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) which is an 
important reference point for the RCEP process. At the same time, Singapore has commenced or 
finalised agreements with a diverse range of other partners which reinforces the value it places on 
developing common rules and abiding by them for mut ual benefit.  
4.102.   New Zealand commends Singapore for concluding, with the European Union, the first FTA 
that includes the goal to progressively reduce subsidies for fossil fuels. As the FTA points out, 
removal of these subsidies both limit distortions to trade and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 
and can thus lead to positive improvements for both trade and the environment. Fossil fuel subsidy 
reform is an area that we consider along with others to be of systemic significance for all 
Members, as we collectively recognized by its inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals 
agreed by our Leaders at the UN. We look forward to hearing more on this issue, including through 
other Members' Trade Policy Review processes.  
4.103.   New Zealand notes with interest Singapore's est ablishment of a Non -Tariff Measures Unit 
and we look forward to ongoing engagement with Singapore on the development of their thinking 
in this area. We see opportunities for information -sharing on how best to effectively manage and 
address non -tariff measu res that act as barriers to trade, as well as multilateral cooperation in 
advancing the agenda on these important issues. We encourage Singapore to share its experience 
in this work, including through the relevant Regular Committee, but also as a substanti ve 
contribution to the negotiations to MC11 and beyond.  
4.104.   Taken together, Singapore is a valued partner for New Zealand and, we believe the wider 
multilateral system. We look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen and deepen this 
relationship, including and perhaps above all, in pursuit of our shared objectives for the 
multilateral trading system.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
4.105.   We are pleased to note that, as strong supporters of the multilateral trading system, 
Singapore and Korea have long maintained a mut ually supportive economic relationship.  
4.106.   Last year, Singapore was Korea's tenth largest trading partner with a total bilateral trade 
volume reaching approximately US$22 billion, up from US$15 billion in 2006 when the bilateral 
FTA entered into force. In add ition, the Korea -ASEAN FTA that took effect in 2007 for goods and 
2009 for services has helped further deepen the already close economic ties between the two 
countries.  
4.107.   Turning to Singapore's overall economic performance, we would like to commend 
Singapore  for achieving an average 3.6% GDP growth during the review period, along with low 
inflation and low unemployment (both averaging around 2% annually).  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.108.   Also, as the Secretariat report rightly highlighted, Singapore has been a model of 
successful development , achieving the status of a high -income country with a GDP per capita of 
nearly US$53,000 in 2015. We believe that Singapore's open and transparent trade and 
investment regime helped it demonstrate a great degree of resilience in the midst of global 
econom ic downturn. We would like to encourage Singapore to continue to pursue its economic 
restructuring towards innovation -led growth and higher productivity.  
4.109.   Korea submitted advance written questions to Singapore on issues of our particular 
interest, and we t hank Singapore for providing detailed replies to our questions.  
4.110.   We very much hope and expect that Singapore, as one of the most active players in the 
WTO, will continue to make important contributions in our common endeavour to make the WTO 
an Organization  of opportunities where Members can grow and succeed.  
4.111.   In conclusion, we would like to express, once again, our appreciation to the delegation of 
Singapore and Ambassador Tan Yee Woan for their hard work in preparing for today's meeting, 
and we wish them a very successful TPR.  
INDONESIA  
4.112.   First of all, we would like to associate ourselves to the statement made by the delegation 
of Malaysia on behalf of the ASEAN members.  
4.113.   Singapore is an important global trading player, with strong commitment to uphold the 
functioning of the multilateral trading system; commitment to the functioning of transparent 
policy; and commitment to opening markets as embedded in the WTO.  
4.114.   Since the last review in 2012, Indonesia has noted Singapore's strong commitments to 
promote economic  growth and open trade by improving its trade and investment related policies, 
to be in line with international commitments Singapore has made in multilateral forum, as well as 
in regional and bilateral arrangements. Indonesia also notes with high regards that these 
commitments are being translated into implementable policies, amidst Singapore's constantly 
active engagement in opening up trade with its industrialized and emerging trade partners.  
4.115.   Based on the Secretariat report, Singapore's economy has conti nued to perform well, with 
economic growth averaging around 3.6% per year during 2012 to 2015; with low inflation 
(averaging around 1.9% annually); and low unemployment (averaging around 2% annually). In 
2015, GDP per capita was estimated at around US$52,9 00. Authorities expect that GDP will grow 
by 1% to 3% in 2016. My delegation hopes that the Singaporean Government could maintain this 
momentum, so as to give positive impacts on the economy of the region.  
4.116.   The Government of Indonesia has long maintained it s strong and sound bilateral relations 
with the Government of Singapore. Being common members of various regional economic 
cooperation such as ASEAN and APEC, Indonesia and Singapore have strengthened and will further 
strengthen our economic and trade rela tions.  
4.117.   With regard to trade patterns, in 2015 Singapore was one of Indonesia's biggest trading 
partners, with bilateral trade volume amounting to US$30.6 billion. Furthermore, back in 2014, 
Singapore was the third largest export destination for Indonesian products, and at the same time 
Singapore was the second largest source of Indonesia's imports.  
4.118.   Despite strong traditional economic and trade ties, bilateral trade between the two 
countries in the last five years (that is between 2011 and 2015) has been exp eriencing a steady 
downward trend, with an average negative growth of 7.43%. Our bilateral trade volume decreased 
from US$44.40 billion in 2011 to only US$30.65 billion in 2015. The Indonesia -Singapore bilateral 
trade relations in the last five years are a lso characterized by a negative balance on Indonesia's 
side. Keeping this in mind, the Indonesian Government is willing to cooperate with the 
Singaporean Government to address this situation, with a view to attain more sustainable and 
mutually beneficial t rade relations.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.119.   In the investment area, Singapore is the largest contributor of foreign direct investment 
(FDI) in Indonesia in 2015, with US$5.9 billion in investment, which accounts to a 20% share of 
total FDI. Through this forum, Indonesia would like to  inform the delegates that the Indonesian 
Government recently established the One Stop Service for Investment, as well as a new regulation 
related to tax. We look forward to these policies enticing more investment from Singapore.  
4.120.   Aside from Singapore's mor e open trade regime, the Indonesian Government still needs 
some clarifications on how Singapore's non -tariff policies operate, especially policies related to the 
TBT and SPS Agreement. Any clarity on this particular issue would be of great help to Indonesi an 
exporters willing to export their products to Singapore. For this purpose, we have submitted 
several written technical questions to Singapore. We thank Singapore for their prompt respond to 
our written questions, and we will conduct a further study on t hem. 
4.121.   We would like to express our special thanks to Ambassador Tan Yee Woan and her 
delegation for their constructive engagement among ASEAN members and other delegations here 
in Geneva.  
CHILE  
4.122.   Saludamos también a todos los miembros de la Misión Permanente de Singapur, y en 
especial a la Embajadora Ms Tan Yee Woan, con quien trabajamos estrechamente para avanzar en 
objetivos comunes dentro de esta casa.  
4.123.   Asimismo, quisiéramos reconocer el notable trabajo realizado tanto por la Secretaría como 
por Singapur en  la elaboración de los respectivos informes.  
4.124.   Chile recibe con entusiasmo la realización del Séptimo Examen de Política Comercial de 
Singapur, y la felicita por el trabajo realizado desde su último examen el año 2012.  
4.125.   Chile y Singapur son dos economías ab iertas al mundo que comparten una visión común 
en su estrategia de inserción, promotores del libre comercio, y que buscan continuamente 
coordinarse en los grandes temas de la agenda internacional.  
4.126.   Las relaciones económico -comerciales entre Chile y Singapu r se enmarcan dentro del 
Acuerdo de Asociación Económica, conocido también como P -4, el cual incluye también a los 
Estados de Brunei Darussalam y Nueva Zelandia. Dicho Acuerdo fue suscrito el 18 de julio de 
2005, y su vigencia ha sido a contar del 8 de nov iembre de 2006.  
4.127.   Este Acuerdo pionero ha sido la base del actual TPP que han suscrito 12 países del área.  
4.128.   El P-4 fue ideado como una alianza estratégica para enfrentar en conjunto los desafíos 
asociados a los grandes mercados y sus dinámicas, especialmente  en Asia. Este acuerdo, 
constituye un gran estímulo para la construcción de un puente de comercio e inversiones entre el 
sur de América Latina y el Asia Pacífico. En él, se plantea también una asociación más allá de lo 
estrictamente comercial; por ejemplo,  comprende un memorando sobre cooperación laboral y otro 
de cooperación ambiental. Otro elemento a destacar, fueron aquellos entendimientos en materia 
de cooperación en ciencia y tecnología, patentes y servicios vinculados a la economía digital.  
4.129.   Es importa nte recalcar que el Acuerdo P -4 contiene una Cláusula de Adhesión que permite 
que otras economías se incorporen al Acuerdo, reforzando con ello la intención original de 
perseguir una mayor integración y liberalización comercial en la zona Asia Pacífico.  
4.130.   Para Chile, Singapur es un importante socio comercial dentro del Asia. Es uno de los 
centros financieros más importantes de Asia y del mundo y, por tanto, cumple un rol estratégico 
fundamental para la inserción comercial en ese continente.  
4.131.   Las exportaciones chilenas a Singapur han tenido un crecimiento promedio anual 
(2010 -2015) de 5,8%, destacando: productos químicos, abulones, vinos, arándanos, salmones, 
entre otros. En cuanto a las importaciones, Chile compra desde Singapur principalmente 
medicamentos, dis positivos médicos, preparaciones alimenticias, cosméticos, entre otros.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.132.   Las economías chilena y de Singapur son altamente complementarias y muestran un 
creciente dinamismo en su relación, por lo que observamos con optimismo la posibilidad de 
incrementar n uestro intercambio comercial.  
4.133.   A nivel multilateral, Chile y Singapur han gozado de importantes coincidencias en distintos 
foros internacionales. En ese marco, quisiera destacar el trabajo que se ha hecho en la OMC, 
especialmente en relación al Acuerdo sob re Facilitación de Comercio (AFC). Felicitamos a Singapur 
por ser uno de los primeros Miembros en ratificar dicho Acuerdo. Asimismo, y al igual que Chile, 
Singapur presentó la notificación de trato especial y diferenciado otorgado a los países menos 
adelan tados en la esfera de servicios, de conformidad con la exención convenida en la Conferencia 
Ministerial de Bali. Visiones comunes tenemos también en materia de comercio electrónico, 
reglamentación doméstica, y tantos otros temas que día a día intentamos ha cer avanzar dentro de 
la OMC.  
4.134.   Adicionalmente, quisiera destacar el trabajo conjunto que se ha hecho en el Foro APEC, 
desde la incorporación de mi país en 1994, hecho que ha constituido uno de los pilares de la 
estrategia chilena para insertarse económicame nte en los flujos comerciales del Asia Pacífico y 
contribuir, además, a crear reglas claras y procedimientos transparentes en materia comercial. En 
ese sentido, es destacable el liderazgo que ha desempeñado Singapur en el cumplimiento de los 
Objetivos de B ogor y en las distintas actividades relacionadas con la facilitación de comercio y la 
promoción de una integración económica regional, basada en un régimen de comercio e inversión 
libre y abierto.  
4.135.   Por otra parte, destacable es también el interés de Singapu r en la Alianza del Pacífico, y su 
condición de observador, lo que da cuenta del grado de coincidencia respecto a la estrategia de 
inserción regional, y los principios y objetivos establecidos en el Acuerdo Marco de la Alianza del 
Pacífico. En ese sentido,  alentamos a Singapur a continuar participando en este importante 
proceso de integración regional.  
4.136.   Para este ejercicio de Examen de Política Comercial, Chile ha formulado 15 consultas, 
principalmente en el área de Propiedad Intelectual, Control de Precios  y Modernización del 
Régimen Regulatorio. Agradecemos profundamente las respuestas a dichas consultas.  
4.137.   Particular interés reviste además la estrategia de desarrollo asumida por Singapur, y su 
capacidad de resiliencia en el enfrentamiento a una situación e conómica mundial compleja, a pesar 
de sus limitaciones en cuanto a territorio, mano de obra y recursos naturales que en su informe se 
detallan.  
4.138.   Observamos con gran interés el hecho que Singapur siga figurando entre las economías 
más abiertas y competitivas  del mundo. A pesar de las dificultades económicas a nivel mundial, 
Singapur ha podido lograr una tasa media de crecimiento económico de un 3,6% anual, con un 
sector de servicios altamente desarrollado, que en 2015 representó cerca del 69% del PIB. En 
relación a su apertura comercial, se destaca que en el periodo examinado la relación media entre 
el volumen del comercio y el producto interno bruto (PIB) fue de alrededor de un 368%, puesto 
que gran parte de esos intercambios adoptan la forma de comercio de t ránsito, lo que ejemplifica 
su importancia estratégica para el ingreso al continente asiático.  
4.139.   Además, observamos con especial interés los ejes que han marcado las políticas 
comerciales implementadas en el periodo en cuestión, a saber:  
 Promover un crecimi ento impulsado por la productividad y la innovación mediante la 
reestructuración de la economía.  
 Respaldar el sistema multilateral de comercio basado en normas para garantizar un entorno 
comercial previsible y equitativo.  
 Fomentar la liberalización del co mercio a fin de crear oportunidades para todas las empresas 
radicadas en Singapur, y,  
 Modernizar el régimen reglamentario nacional para facilitar el comercio.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.140.   En ese sentido, destacables han sido las acciones implementadas a fin de preparar a 
Singapur de  cara a la economía del futuro, a través de significativos programas de capacitación, 
infraestructura, innovación, desarrollo, entre otros. No cabe duda que dichas políticas representan 
a su vez una fuente de inspiración para muchos otros Miembros también,  incluido Chile.  
4.141.   Como mencioné con anterioridad, con Singapur tenemos importantes coincidencias a nivel 
multilateral, que nos ayudarán en el futuro próximo a robustecer el sistema actual de comercio.  
PERÚ  
4.142.   El Perú y Singapur mantienen una dinámica y nutrida  agenda bilateral. Con el fin de darle 
forma y seguimiento a dicha agenda, en los últimos cuatro años se han realizado diversos 
encuentros al más alto nivel. En el 2012 se celebró una reunión de Viceministros de Relaciones 
Exteriores. En el 2013 se llevó a  cabo una visita oficial del Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de 
Singapur. Asimismo, se han celebrado encuentros bilaterales entre el señor Presidente de la 
República del Perú y el Primer Ministro de Singapur, en el marco de la Cumbre de Líderes de APEC, 
en el 2013, en Bali, y, en Beijing, en noviembre de 2014.  
4.143.   Singapur es uno de los mayores inversionistas del Sudeste Asiático en el Perú y uno de los 
centros comerciales, financieros, logísticos y tecnológicos más dinámicos de Asia, por lo que el 
Perú sigue  con atención el desarrollo económico y las posibilidades de consolidar sus relaciones 
económico -comerciales con Singapur.  
4.144.   En el ámbito multilateral, nuestras economías cooperan en el marco del Foro de 
Cooperación Económica Asia Pacífico – APEC, y reciente mente hemos participado conjuntamente 
en la concreción de un espacio económico ampliado, a través de la suscripción del Acuerdo 
Transpacífico de Cooperación Económica, conocido como TPP por sus siglas en inglés.  
4.145.   En el marco de la relación comercial destac a el Tratado de Libre Comercio vigente desde el 
año 2009, mediante el cual se estableció un marco transparente y previsible para fomentar el 
comercio bilateral, así como para crear un ambiente más propicio para el desarrollo de negocios 
entre ambos países.  Este TLC tiene como objetivo incrementar el intercambio comercial y las 
inversiones, así como dotar de mayor dinamismo a la relación de cooperación.  
4.146.   El comercio bilateral entre el Perú y Singapur ha mejorado notablemente en los últimos 
años, llegando a 90  millones de dólares EE.UU. en el 2014. En los últimos cinco años las 
exportaciones del Perú a Singapur se han quintuplicado, es decir, han crecido en 500%, pasando 
de 8 millones de dólares EE.UU. en el 2009 a 40 millones de dólares EE.UU. el año pasado. E sta 
tendencia está beneficiando a productos peruanos con valor agregado que han incursionado en el 
mercado de Singapur, tales como la exportación de productos agroindustriales y prendas de vestir. 
Asimismo, las importaciones de Singapur se han venido incre mentando hasta alcanzar los 
50 millones de dólares EE.UU. en el 2014. Entre los principales productos importados se 
encuentran las preparaciones alimenticias, así como productos tecnológicos, tales como partes y 
accesorios de máquinas, aparatos para imprim ir, taquímetros y unidades de memoria.  
4.147.   Actualmente, el reto pendiente es aprovechar las potencialidades del TLC entre ambos 
países con miras a elevar el intercambio comercial y las inversiones, así como dotar de mayor 
dinamismo a la relación de cooperación , particularmente en los campos de la ciencia y tecnología, 
educación, construcción, planeamiento urbano y sistema portuario.  
4.148.   Refiriéndome al informe de la Secretaría para el presente examen, quisiéramos destacar el 
sostenido esfuerzo del Gobierno de Singa pur para incentivar una reestructuración económica con 
el fin de pasar de un crecimiento con gran densidad de mano de obra a uno impulsado por la 
innovación y la productividad.  
4.149.   Asimismo, a pesar de la crisis económica internacional de los últimos años la e conomía de 
Singapur ha seguido creciendo a una tasa promedio de 3,6% en el período 2012 -2015, y se prevé 
que la economía crezca entre 1% y 3% en el 2016. El sector manufacturero sigue siendo un 
importante pilar de la economía, y su aporte al Producto Bruto  Interno nominal se encuentra en 
alrededor del 20%. Singapur es un importador neto de servicios. Este sector representó en el 2015 WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  cerca del 69% del Producto Bruto Interno, encabezado por el comercio, los servicios 
empresariales, lo servicios financieros y  de seguros.  
4.150.   Con relación al régimen comercial de Singapur, el informe de la Secretaría señala que 
prácticamente todos los productos que ingresan a Singapur se encuentran libres de impuestos 
según el régimen de arancel de Nación Más Favorecida aplicado, sa lvo seis líneas arancelarias que 
están sujetas a derechos específicos. Las consolidaciones arancelarias sólo abarcan un 70% de los 
aranceles, siendo el promedio aritmético de los tipos consolidados del 6,9%.  
4.151.   El informe de la Secretaría destaca que Singapur  tiene un gran diversidad de programas de 
incentivos fiscales y no fiscales, ente los cuales hay incentivos horizontales como el Programa de 
Créditos para Productividad y la Innovación e incentivos para la investigación y el desarrollo o el 
establecimiento  de sedes en este país, así como programas específicos dirigidos a sectores o 
actividades específicas, como los servicios financieros o marítimos. Sin embargo, no se dispone 
fácilmente de información acerca de los gastos presupuestarios ni de los ingresos que se han 
dejado de percibir como consecuencia de estos programas.  
4.152.   En este contexto, el Perú ha transmitido algunas consultas a Singapur con relación al 
apoyo a la expansión de empresas en el extranjero, así como sobre el sistema de declaración 
anticipada  de exportación, por lo que aprovecho la oportunidad para agradecer a la delegación de 
Singapur por las respuestas que nos han adelantado, las que serán transmitidas a nuestras 
autoridades competentes en la capital para su evaluación y seguimiento.  
INDIA  
4.153.   India and Singapore enjoy close and multi -faceted partnership, underpinned by strong 
economic, cultural and people -to-people linkages. Bilateral ties were elevated to a Strategic 
Partnership last year on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establish ment of diplomatic 
relations between our two countries. Trade and economic cooperation is one of the key pillars of 
our expanding ties. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement signed in 2005 provides 
an important framework for promoting bilateral trade and investment flows. India is currently 
Singapore's 10th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade of about US$15 billion in 2015 -16. 
Singapore is not only our foremost trading partner in the ASEAN region but also a major source of 
FDI inflows i nto India. Our two way investments were over US$18 billion last year in diverse 
sectors such as Information Technology, manufacturing, construction, renewable energy and 
pharmaceuticals. We cooperate within the framework of the India -ASEAN Trade in Service s and 
Investment Agreements, which entered into force in July 2015. India and Singapore are also 
working together for the conclusion of a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership 
Agreement. All in all, we are upbeat about the potential for expanding our  trade and economic ties 
with Singapore.  
4.154.   Singapore's economy has performed well since its last trade policy review in 2012 with an 
average economic growth of about 3.6% per year, low inflation and low unemployment of around 
2% annually. Singapore has the h ighest trade to GDP ratio in the world of around 368%, 
representing its strong position as a major transhipment hub. Singapore maintains one of the most 
liberal trading regimes in the world. We commend Singapore for being ranked first in the World 
Bank's E ase of Doing Business Index from 2006 till today. We have noted that Singapore's trade is 
underpinned by a network of regional and bilateral free trade agreements with its trading partners 
and its merchandise trade with preferential trading partners accoun ted for about 80% of its 
imports and 74% of exports in 2014. India appreciates the challenge of maintaining steady growth 
in the face of an increasingly uncertain global environment. In this context, we welcome 
Singapore's initiatives for economic restruct uring to enhance productivity and innovation -led 
growth, modernizing its regulatory regimes and facilitating trade through its domestic policies.  
4.155.   We would like to thank the Singapore authorities for their replies to some of the questions 
posed by my delega tion, which would be reviewed by my authorities. The questions covered 
measures affecting bilateral trade in agriculture as well as services. For example, some of the 
services measures such as mandatory salary levels, will impact the free movement of servi ce 
providers. We hope Singapore would continue to review its policies and practices to facilitate trade 
in services.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.156.   Finally, we welcome Singapore's firm and long -standing support to the rules based 
multilateral trading system. Singapore has been an activ e participant in the work across the full 
WTO agenda. Both our countries have a shared interest in a strong and effective multilateral 
trading system and we look forward to working with Ambassador Ms. Tan Yee Woan and her team 
in Geneva in ensuring balance d outcomes in the ongoing negotiations, as well as in the regular 
work in various WTO bodies.  
THAILAND  
4.157.   Thailand would like to associate itself with ASEAN's statement previously delivered by 
Ambassador Mariam of Malaysia.  
4.158.   As members of ASEAN, Singapore and Thailand have a strong and longstanding trade 
relation. In 2015, Singapore is Thailand's second largest trading partner in ASEAN, with trade 
value of US$15.7 billion. Globally, Singapore ranked as our 8th export destination and the 7th 
largest source of im port. 
4.159.   In terms of investment, Singapore is Thailand's second largest source of FDI in 2015, with 
net FDI inflow of approximately US$1.5 billion.  
4.160.   We would like to congratulate Singapore on its solid economic growth since the last review, 
averaging 3.6% duri ng 2012 -2015 driven by trade and investment.  
4.161.   True to its principles, Singapore has one of the most transparent and open trade and 
investment regimes in the world. Most products under MFN enter Singapore tariff -free. Singapore's 
investment incentives have a lways been transparent and facilitative. In line with its economic 
restructuring objectives to shift from labour -intensive growth towards innovation and 
productivity -led growth, Singapore has made enhancements to its investment incentives during 
the period  under review, such as horizontal incentives in the form of Productivity and Innovation 
Credit, and incentives for research and development or headquarter establishment in Singapore.  
4.162.   Singapore is a staunch advocate for the rule -based multilateral trading s ystem. It sets 
good examples for WTO Members in terms of notifications as it regularly submits its notifications 
to WTO bodies. Singapore also participated in Plurilateral Agreements, such as the negotiation for 
the EGA and the expansion of the ITA which S ingapore has implemented. We also commend 
Singapore for being one of the first to submit its ratification for the TFA.  
4.163.   In this review, Thailand submitted quite a number of questions to Singapore, covering the 
policies and measures of our interests regardin g Trade in Services and Competition policy. We 
thank Singapore for its responses, which we will study carefully with great interest.  
4.164.   We are thankful for the close and friendly cooperation with Singapore in every level, 
including that between our Geneva -based delegations.  
ECUADOR  
4.165.   Ecuador atiende con gran interés este séptimo Examen de Políticas Comerciales dada la 
relación que mantiene con Singapur, la misma que se ha visto fortalecida en los últimos años, 
especialmente con la suscripción por parte de los Ca ncilleres de ambos países, en 2013, de un 
Memorando de Entendimiento para el establecimiento de Consultas Políticas y de un Acuerdo para 
evitar la Doble Imposición Tributaria. El Memorando de Entendimiento fue firmado con el objeto de 
institucionalizar el mecanismo de diálogo y evaluar la relación bilateral estableciendo mecanismos 
de cooperación, lo cual ha contribuido a fortalecer e intensificar los lazos entre ambos países. De 
otra parte, el acuerdo en materia tributaria busca fortalecer las relaciones b ilaterales en materia 
impositiva, comercial y de inversiones al dotar a las agencias tributarias de los dos países de 
herramientas para combatir prácticas elusivas o evasivas.  
4.166.   Destacamos también el Memorando de Entendimiento para Cooperación en Logística y  
Transporte para el Hub Logístico de la ciudad de Manta, que fue firmado en ese mismo año por el 
Canciller ecuatoriano y el Director General del International Enterprise del Ministerio de Comercio e WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  Industrias de Singapur, con la finalidad de desarrollar e n Ecuador Parques y Zonas Logísticas a 
partir de la experiencia que tiene Singapur en este ámbito.  
4.167.   Refiriéndonos al informe presentado por la Secretaría, tomamos nota de que en el período 
2012-2015, el crecimiento económico anual medio de Singapur fue apr oximadamente del 3,6%, 
crecimiento que se ha visto impulsado principalmente por la demanda externa y el consumo. Es 
digno de destacar el crecimiento promedio anual de 9,5% que Singapur ha registrado en su PIB 
desde su independencia en 1965.  
4.168.   De igual manera , subrayamos el hecho de que el sector de los servicios aporta 
aproximadamente en un 69% al PIB nominal y aproximadamente un 71% al empleo total. En este 
aspecto, sobresale el comercio al por mayor y al por menor; seguido por los servicios prestados a 
las empresas; los servicios financieros; y, los servicios de transporte y almacenamiento. Mientras 
que la proporción correspondiente a la agricultura, la pesca y las industrias extractivas, según se 
indica, es insignificante.  
4.169.   Ecuador resalta la información pr oporcionada respecto a la política adoptada por el 
Gobierno de Singapur para incentivar la reestructuración económica que persigue pasar de un 
crecimiento con gran densidad de mano de obra a uno impulsado por la innovación y la 
productividad, de ahí que ce lebramos la creación del Comité de Economía del Futuro.  
4.170.   Sobre esta misma línea, Ecuador encuentra de gran interés la diversidad de programas de 
incentivos fiscales y no fiscales como el Programa de Créditos para la Productividad y la 
Innovación; programas específicos destinados a sectores o actividades concretas como los 
servicios financieros o marítimos; y, los incentivos otorgados para la investigación y el desarrollo.  
4.171.   Ecuador también resalta la introducción que ha hecho Singapur de modificaciones en las 
prescripciones sanitarias y fitosanitarias, y destaca el trabajo que ha llevado a cabo para que las 
medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias sean coherentes con las normas, directrices y recomendaciones 
internacionales del Codex Alimentarius, la Organización Mu ndial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) y la 
Convención Internacional de Protección Fitosanitaria (CIPF). Asimismo, registramos que la 
Autoridad Agroalimentaria y Veterinaria de Singapur (AVA) es la entidad responsable de la 
inocuidad de los alimentos, la sanidad an imal, la preservación de los vegetales y es también el 
servicio de información sobre MSF. Dentro de este tema, hemos encontrado importante contar con 
mayor información entre otros, sobre los productos que cuentan con accesos fitosanitarios y los 
requisitos  que deben cumplirse de acuerdo al país de origen.  
4.172.   De otra parte, Ecuador reconoce los esfuerzos llevados a cabo por Singapur para la mejora 
continua de los procedimientos y requisitos aduaneros. En este sentido, prestamos atención al 
sistema TradeFIRST, a l Programa de Asociación para el Comercio Seguro y a las plataformas que 
permiten la gestión aduanera. En relación a este último, nos complace informar que la Ventanilla 
Única de Comercio Exterior del Ecuador se encuentra completamente implementada, es dec ir, que 
el país está preparado tecnológicamente para realizar intercambios electrónicos de documentos de 
control que certifiquen la calidad y originalidad del producto exportado de Ecuador. Estamos 
deseosos de establecer acuerdos que posibiliten la recepci ón de certificaciones electrónicas 
generadas por Ecuador.  
4.173.   Antes de concluir, quisiéramos anticipar nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación de 
Singapur por sus respuestas a las preguntas que hemos planteado sobre algunos aspectos 
concretos de su política co mercial, las mismas que proveerán información importante para el 
fortalecimiento de las relaciones bilaterales en materia de comercio exterior y finalmente 
deseamos a Singapur éxito en el presente examen.  
COLOMBIA  
4.174.   Considero que es prudente iniciar felicita ndo a Singapur por su desempeño económico en 
tiempos de crisis. Resulta evidente que su fórmula económica continua funcionando a pesar de la 
difícil coyuntura mundial. Singapur se ha caracterizado por mantener un régimen comercial y de 
inversiones abierto,  donde prima la transparencia institucional y la estabilidad en sus políticas por 
lo que se ha mantenido como un destino privilegiado para hacer negocios. No queda lugar a dudas 
la razón por la que Singapur lleva años posicionada como una de las economías más competitivas WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  del mundo según el Índice Global de Competitividad (No. 2 en el periodo 2014 –2016). Sin lugar a 
dudas se puede afirmar que Singapur hace honor a las raíces sánscritas de su nombre, donde 
"Singa" es "León" y "Pura" es "ciudad" y hoy por hoy  esta ciudad es un "león" comercial.  
4.175.   El crecimiento de la economía de Singapur en 2015 alcanzó un 2,0%, casi dos puntos 
porcentuales por debajo de la tasa promedio para el periodo inmediatamente anterior (2012 a 
2014). Si bien no se puede menospreciar la r educción, es importante tener presente que este país 
mantiene un crecimiento positivo durante más de una década a pesar de sus marcadas 
limitaciones en materia de recursos económicos como mano de obra, energía y tierra. Esta 
carencia de factores económicos  le hace más propenso a choques externos como el efecto 
negativo que trajo la caída de los precios del petróleo en la industria de ingeniería marina y de alta 
mar dos sectores de gran importancia para la industria en el país.  
4.176.   La apertura comercial que cara cteriza a la economía de Singapur se ha convertido en uno 
de sus principales activos y esto se refleja en un intercambio comercial de bienes y servicios que 
casi cuadriplican el PIB del país durante el periodo de la revisión. En cuanto al desempeño 
específ ico en materia comercial, nuevamente la ya mencionada situación internacional ha tenido 
un efecto directo en el comercio de bienes que ha sido menos afortunado que el comercio de 
servicios. Mientas el primero cerró con una contracción del 5,2% durante el 2 015 tras haber tenido 
un crecimiento promedio del 4,8% entre 2012 y 2014, el comercio de servicios mantuvo un 
crecimiento que en ningún caso fue inferior al 3,4% durante el periodo revisado.  
4.177.   Por otra parte, las políticas macroeconómicas y de mercado labora l no tuvieron variaciones 
significativas por lo que no me detendré en eso. Si quisiera resaltar como Singapur se está 
preparando para el futuro. Un león cuando percibe un problema lo enfrenta y Singapur lo está 
haciendo. La volatilidad de los mercados inte rnacionales ha impulsado a generar políticas para 
restructurar la economía bajo dos preceptos: la innovación y la productividad. Con miras a esto el 
Gobierno ha creado tanto incentivos para la restructuración económica, como programas 
específicos de for mación de mano de obra ("Skills Future"), el desarrollo de infraestructura, la 
investigación e innovación en las empresas, e incluso la creación del Comité de Economía del 
Futuro (enero de 2016).  
4.178.   Otro aspecto que es importante resaltar es que la internacionali zación en Singapur se basa 
en un régimen internacional sólido manejado de forma coherente. Como defensor del sistema 
internacional participa activamente en iniciativas plurilaterales como el ITA y fue uno de los 
primeros miembros en ratificar el Acuerdo so bre Facilitación del Comercio. Así mismo, mantiene 
una importante red de Acuerdos Comerciales Regionales y de Inversión que aseguran que el 80% 
de las importaciones y el 74% de sus exportaciones estén cubiertas por un acceso preferencial en 
virtud de dicho s Acuerdos.  
4.179.   Esto me lleva a la relación que tenemos con Singapur. Colombia y Singapur mantienen un 
comercio global que alcanzó los 460 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2015. Sin embargo, el 
intercambio comercial aún se basa en lo minero -energética pues esto r epresentó el 93% de las 
exportaciones colombianas en 2014 y el 98% en 2015. En materia de inversión, Colombia y 
Singapur lograron concluir un Acuerdo Bilateral de Inversión que esperamos entre en vigor 
prontamente. Un último aspecto que creo es importante resaltar es la participación de Singapur 
como observador de la Alianza del Pacifico desde febrero 2014 lo que lo convierte en uno de los 
primeros observadores del proceso.  
4.180.   Finalmente, le deseamos a Singapur el mayor de los éxitos en su examen de Política 
Comercial y animamos a la Embajadora Tan y a su Misión a continuar su rol activo al interior de la 
OMC en pro de un mejor funcionamiento del sistema multilateral de comercio. Creemos 
firmemente que el liderazgo de león que siempre ha demostrado Singapur nos  servirá de ejemplo 
a todos los demás miembros de esta jungla.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.181.   The EU considers Singapore as a clear example of how trade and foreign investment can 
bring prosperity to a country. The decision taken by Singapore years ago to build its econom ic 
development strategy on sound policies and an open and transparent trade and investment regime 
has indeed given good results. Foreign investment poured into the country and Singapore rapidly WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  became a business and trade hub in the region. Today, Singapor e counts a trade -to-GDP ratio of 
over 350% and has successfully developed into a high -income country with a GDP per capita of 
almost US$53,000.  
4.182.   Furthermore, thanks to the appropriate policy measures adopted by its Government, 
Singapore has been capable of adjusting to the challenging external conditions and to grow at an 
average rate of around 3.6% per year during the period 2012 -15. The Singaporean economy has 
today solid economic fundamentals that have allowed it to weather the global crisis with success.  
4.183.   The EU and Singapore share many common economic interests as demonstrated by the 
continuing growth of the trade and investment relationship. EU trade and investment relations with 
Singapore are solid and Singapore is the EU's most important partner in tra de and investment in 
the ASEAN region. Total EU -Singapore trade in goods grew by 7.7% in 2015 to reach €48.6 billion 
and the EU confirmed itself as Singapore's third most important trading partner. The EU is also the 
largest source of FDIs, accounting for around a quarter of total FDI stock in Singapore. Then, more 
than 10,500 EU companies are established in Singapore. Leaving aside trade, we also enjoy an 
enhanced cooperation in a number of fields, including SME internationalisation, transportation 
policy and research and development  
4.184.   The FTA we have concluded with Singapore will also constitute a stepping stone to greater 
engagement between the EU and Southeast Asia and the upgrading of the overall EU -ASEAN 
relationship. In this respect, the EU is persuaded  that once the EU -Singapore FTA enters into force 
it will further strengthen the ties between the Parties.  
4.185.   Beyond our strong bilateral relations, the EU and Singapore, as likeminded countries, also 
work closely together at a multilateral level on most glob al issues. In particular, the EU fully shares 
Singapore's view that the WTO's rules -based multilateral trading system should remain the 
cornerstone of each Member's trade policy. The EU greatly values Singapore's commitment to 
transparency and commends Sin gapore for its active role in several negotiating groups and in 
particular in the EGA trade discussions, and for having already joined the GPA and ITA.  
4.186.   In this spirit, we are very thankful for the good reports prepared by Singapore and the 
WTO Secretariat for the TPR. The EU has submitted some questions in advance of the TPR and 
would like to raise here three trade -related developments during the period under review. 
Although Singapore is an exemplary Member in this Organisation, we do have a few concerns.  
4.187.   First, with regard to sanitary and phytosanitary matters, the EU regrets that Singapore 
continues to impose country -wide bans on EU member States when an animal disease outbreak 
occurs. The EU would urge Singapore to take due account and recognise the reg ionalisation 
measures as applied by all EU member States. EU member States have demonstrated time and 
again that they are capable to implement this zoning principle reliably and consistently, in 
accordance with OIE rules.  
4.188.   Second, in the area of government procurement we note with some concern that some EU 
companies wishing to participate in Singapore's public procurement market are finding difficulties 
to do so due to prior local experience requirements. In this sense, it is essential that the utmost 
transp arency and rigour in the application of procurement standards are assured and the EU calls 
on Singapore to adopt the appropriate measures to address concerns in relation to the mentioned 
requirements.  
4.189.   Finally, the EU has expressed its interest to receive c larifications in relation to effective and 
potential policy and regulatory changes in certain sectors (including banking, telecommunication 
and transport and IPR) as submitted in our written questions.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.190.   Costa Rica se complace en participar en est e Examen de Políticas Comerciales. Singapur es 
un Miembro con el que compartimos muchos puntos de vista en la OMC; es un miembro activo del 
grupo de Amigos de las negociaciones anti -dumping, y ha demostrado su compromiso con el 
proceso de reforma del siste ma multilateral de comercio.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.191.   Agradecemos el trabajo y el liderazgo mostrado por Singapur en temas de interés de esta 
Organización como el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio; así como su ambición y 
compromiso en la ampliación del ITA, y su interés en buscar avances en otras esferas como el 
Acuerdo sobre Bienes Ambientales. Esperamos que continúe con estas y otras iniciativas que 
contribuyan a avanzar el proceso de consolidación de su arancel, que hoy abarca un 70% de sus 
líneas arancelarias.  
4.192.   Costa Rica  reconoce en Singapur a un socio con un sistema comercial transparente y 
abierto y celebra las medidas adoptadas por su Gobierno en ese sentido, como la relativa al 
sistema integrado de facilitación del comercio basado en el riesgo (TradeFirst) y la riguro sidad con 
la que presenta sus notificaciones periódicas ante los comités de la OMC. Efectivamente, el 
comercio internacional ha jugado un papel fundamental como principal fuente de crecimiento y ha 
sido un elemento crítico en su estrategia de desarrollo.  
4.193.   Singapur ha creado y ha sabido aprovechar sus ventajas estratégicas como un centro 
logístico internacional, de modo que hoy el volumen de intercambio comercial casi cuadruplica el 
volumen del PIB anual. A pesar de su pequeño tamaño (cerca de 720 km2), y un a población 
equivalente a la de Costa Rica, Singapur posee un gran potencial económico, una cimentada 
reputación de transparencia, así como sistemas legales, corporativos y gubernamentales que 
brindan seguridad y crean un entorno propicio para los negocios .  
4.194.   Como países pequeños y abiertos, compartimos con Singapur una visión común sobre el 
papel transformador de la inversión y de la innovación en el comercio de bienes y servicios en la 
economía mundial. No es de extrañar que como parte de la estrategia de diversificación de 
mercados y con el fin de fomentar las relaciones comerciales, aumentar la inversión y promover la 
cooperación, Costa Rica decidió estrechar su relación con Singapur.  
4.195.   En este sentido, iniciamos un proceso de negociación de un tratado de libre comercio que 
concluyó satisfactoriamente a inicios de 2010, con cuatro rondas de negociación, experimentando 
por primera vez la realización de rondas virtuales. El tratado entró en vigencia el 1°de julio de 
2013 y permitió concretar un acuerdo integr al, mutuamente beneficioso, que permitirá consolidar 
la eliminación de los aranceles para el 100% de los bienes y atacar las barreras al comercio de 
bienes y servicios entre los dos países.  
4.196.   Al igual que Singapur, Costa Rica considera que el crecimiento im pulsado por la 
productividad es la manera más sostenible de garantizar el crecimiento económico a largo plazo. 
Este es un objetivo que se alinea con una realidad en la que los recursos como la tierra, la mano 
de obra y la energía son limitados en un contex to de mayor vulnerabilidad climática. Es por ello 
que vemos con mucho interés las recientes reformas implementadas por Singapur en aras de 
transformarse en una sociedad basada en la innovación y la productividad; y en particular el rol 
que desempeñará el C omité de Economía del Futuro en este esquema.  
4.197.   Aunque Costa Rica no presentó preguntas en esta ocasión, mantenemos un interés 
constante en las políticas comerciales de un socio ejemplar como lo es Singapur. En particular, nos 
interesa el liderazgo que puede  ejercer un miembro como Singapur en la conversación multilateral 
sobre la eliminación de los subsidios a los combustibles fósiles, una tarea de esta organización que 
está contenida en las metas de desarrollo sostenible.  
4.198.   Finalmente, quisiéramos agradecer e l trabajo dedicado a responder a todas las preguntas 
formuladas en el marco de este examen; y en nombre de Costa Rica quisiera desearle a Singapur 
un Examen de Política Comercial exitoso.  
VIET  NAM 
4.199.   It is our pleasure to associate ourselves with the ASEAN St atement presented by 
Ambassador Mariam Salleh of Malaysia.  
4.200.   Singapore remains one of the world's most open market economies and is also considered 
one of the easiest countries to do business with. That clearly explains why the economy has 
remarkably grown a t an annual rate of 3.6% in the period 2012 –2015 and bringing the income per 
capita up to nearly US$53,000 in 2015, ranking the 11th (out of 188 countries) on the UNDP's WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  Human Development Index. It would not have been possible without a far -sighted vision,  steady 
implementation plans and excellent capability to fine -tune to and wisely align itself with evolving 
trends of the global economy.  
4.201.   Like most other countries, Singapore has felt the direct impact of the challenging global 
economic recession primaril y through the trade channel. In response, Having miraculously 
graduated from a third to first world economy, Singapore is now solidly transforming its economy 
into a  high -tech and innovation -led one through a robust productivity and skill drive, just to n ame 
a few.  
4.202.   Despite being a small island city state with a reasonably small -sized population, Singapore 
has succeeded in serving as one of the biggest exporters of goods and services in the world. In 
2014, Singapore ranked the 9th among world merchandise e xporters and the 10th among 
importers or the 6th among the exporters and importers of trade in services.  
4.203.   Singapore is a staunch supporter of the rules -based multilateral trading system and 
continues to pursue trade liberalization through bilateral and regi onal agreements. In the region, 
Singapore is proactively working with its ASEAN partners on the ASEAN Economic Community 
(AEC) in order to achieve further economic initiatives for an AEC 2025 while vigorously advocating 
inter-regional economic connectivity . 
4.204.   We appreciate the fine development of the bilateral ties between our two countries which 
have come from strength to strength.  
4.205.   Singapore has recently become one of the biggest trade partners and the biggest ASEAN 
partner of Viet Nam in trade and investme nt. In the first six months of 2016, Viet Nam becomes 
the 12th trade partner of Singapore. Singapore till now has 1,600 existing investment projects in 
Viet Nam with the total registered capital of up to US$36.28 billion, ranking the third out of 
114 investment partners in Viet Nam. Singapore directly invests in most of the economic fields 
from oil and gas exploitation, agricultural and fishery processing to infrastructure construction, etc.  
4.206.   We look forward to enhancing the Viet Nam –Singapore connectivity e ven further in the 
year to come  
4.207.   I would like to conclude by putting on record our high appreciation for the fine contribution 
to the system by wishing Singapore every success in its economic and social development and the 
Singapore delegation a fruitful tr ade policy review. Majulah Singapura!  
NORWAY  
4.208.   A former Norwegian ambassador to the WTO, Mr. Eirik Glenne served as discussant at the 
trade policy review of Singapore back in 2004. He introduced his comments on Singapore's trade 
policy by saying he was tempt ed to call Singapore's trade policy rather dull, but - he said – it was 
meant as a very sincere complement. Singapore was recognized for its open trade regime and 
vigorous support for the multilateral trading system, and it was not easy to find fault with its 
performance in relation to its WTO commitments and trade liberalization efforts.  
4.209.   That statement definitively still holds true.  
4.210.   The WTO Secretariat concludes the summary of its report by the following statement: 
Singapore has been a model of developmen t for decades as it has successfully developed into a 
high-income country with a GDP per capita of nearly US$53,000 in 2015. To a large extent, growth 
has been based on an open and transparent trade and investment regime using Singapore's 
location as an ad vantage.  
4.211.   We note that Singapore's economy has performed well since its trade policy review in 
2012, although the pace of growth has been more moderate than in the previous review period. 
The rate of economic growth averaged 3.6 % per year during the 2012 –2015, along with low 
inflation and low unemployment.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.212.   In times of increasing economic uncertainties, it is important that countries do not resort 
to increased protectionism. Faced with the slowdown in important trading partners' economies, 
Singapore is again  demonstrating that innovation and restructuring of the economy is a better 
strategy to deal with global economic downturns than protectionism.  
4.213.   A network of 21 regional and bilateral free trade agreements with 32 trading partners 
underpins Singapore's tra de. Merchandise trade with preferential trading partners accounted for 
about 80% of Singapore's imports and 74% of its exports in 2014.  
4.214.   With new agreements with the EU and others, participation in the TPP and other steps such 
as establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, Singapore continues to be at 
the forefront of deeper regional integration while maintaining its strong multilateral commitments 
to the WTO. That is in line with our policies also.  
4.215.   Our common challenge is to utilize the re gional and bilateral arrangements as stepping 
stones towards a better -developed and integrated multilateral trading system within the WTO.  
4.216.   We would also like to refer briefly to the comments mentioned by New Zealand on fossil 
fuels subsidies reform. We be lieve this is an important point.  
4.217.   Through EFTA Norway is one of many countries that benefit from Singapore's trade 
network of regional and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). I can safely say that for our part, 
we are well satisfied with our extensive  bilateral trading relations. Our two -way merchandise trade 
has grown approximately 50% over the last five years. Singapore and Norway have a dynamic 
business relationship in industries that are of key importance to both nations. Singapore is the 
most impo rtant hub for Norwegian businesses in Asia with more than 250 Norwegian companies 
present. As such, Singapore is - for Norway like for many others - an essential gateway to 
increasingly important markets in South East Asia.   
4.218.   As the world's second largest port and a global financial center, Singapore plays an 
essential role in facilitating global trade. In this context, we appreciate Singapore's efficient port 
and logistical services. As both Norway and Singapore are important maritime nations, we 
particula rly value the open market situation in Singapore in the maritime sector. We appreciate 
the close maritime partnership between Norway and Singapore, our cooperation in maritime 
technology and our shared commitment to maritime safety and freedom of navigatio n. 
4.219.   Let me conclude, by again emphasising that Norway shares with Singapore a strong 
interest in strengthening the multilateral trading system. A strong rules -based system, as provided 
by the WTO, remains crucial for small but highly integrated and open tra ding economies like 
Singapore and Norway. We are very pleased with our close cooperation across almost all aspects 
of trade policy and negotiations, be it on ITA, EGA, remaining Doha issues and otherwise. We look 
forward to pursuing and further enhancing o ur cooperation in this regard. Before closing, I would 
like to add the personal thanks of all of us at the Norwegian Mission for our close and valuable 
cooperation with Singapore's Mission to the WTO.  
PHILIPPINES  
4.220.   The Philippines would like to associate its elf with the ASEAN statement in recognizing 
Singapore as the most progressive ASEAN member in terms of trade and investment.  
4.221.   Singapore is the Philippines' 4th major trading partner and 5th major source of foreign 
direct investments in 2015.  
4.222.   To date, Sing apore is also one of the major destinations for Philippines' young 
professionals, particularly in the medical profession, and the information and telecommunications 
industry.  
4.223.   The Philippines and Singapore enjoy a dynamic trade and investment relations mani fested 
by the numerous trade and investment missions organized between our two countries in the past 
several years. The wide presence of Singapore investments in various sectors in the Philippines 
and vice versa also demonstrates our growing investment int erest in each other's economy.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.224.   Philippines and Singapore has established the Philippines -Singapore Action Plan (PSAP) 
through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties in 1998 to strengthen bilateral 
cooperation through consolidating and formula ting new bilateral cooperation initiatives over the 
immediate, medium and long -term period, taking advantage of the complementarities and 
interactions that exist between our two countries. The third round of informal consultations on the 
PSAP was held on 1 5 July 2015 in Singapore and the Philippines is keen to continue the 
collaboration on the bilateral relations between our two countries through this framework.  
4.225.   The Philippines commends Singapore's economic restructuring policies to achieve 
innovation -led growth, which include encouraging innovation and adoption of technology by SMEs. 
Singapore is one of the Philippines' co -sponsors in the WTO member -led initiative on enhancing 
the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the global tr ade, and we 
would like to applaud Singapore's policies to enhance SMEs' access to innovation expertise and 
technology solutions to ensure that SMEs remain resilient in the face of economic pressures and 
are well -positioned to seize future opportunities, bo th in the domestic and international markets.  
MYANMAR  
4.226.   We are pleased to see Singapore being recognized as a "model of development". This is 
well-deserved when you consider its GDP per capita in 2015 of almost US$53,000, its average 
economic growth rate of  3.6% per year over the review period, and its low inflation and 
unemployment rates. We are also pleased that, according to our statistics, Singapore is now our 
5th largest trading partner and we are its 6th largest. The total value of two -way trade regist ered 
between us in 2014 was close on US$29 billion. We believe that both our economies have 
benefited from the fairer and sounder environment for international trade. And, looking to the 
future, with the imminent entry into force of the Agreement between S ingapore and the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP), we 
have great confidence that our bilateral trade relationship is to be further enhanced.  
4.227.   On the subject of trade policies and practices, we ha ve already submitted a number of 
questions to Singapore in advance. Our particular interests range from Singapore's measures in 
support of SMEs' participation in public infrastructure projects, to its investment incentive 
schemes, its strategies for develo ping innovative capabilities, tobacco control policies, certain 
copyright enforcement practices, measures to counter the decline in exports over a period of 
nineteen consecutive months, its strategies for the future economy, the state -of-play in various 
FTA negotiations, the Competitive Licensing Framework, and, lastly, the electricity packages. We 
thank Singapore for their written answers, which we shall study very carefully and may come back 
with further questions at a later stage.  
4.228.   Even though it has alre ady a very good record of economic performance, the Government 
of Singapore, to its credit, continues to take steps to restructure and transform the economy 
towards innovation -led growth and higher productivity. As an important trading partner of 
Singapore , we naturally look forward to its even greater success in the future.  
4.229.   Finally, I would like to commend Ambassador Tan, I -Wan, for her able leadership and 
important contribution to the WTO work.  
SRI LANKA  
4.230.   Sri Lanka notes with interest the policy adoption b y the Singaporean Government that 
focuses on encouraging an economic restructuring from labour -intensive growth towards 
innovation and productivity -led growth. Initiatives like Skillsfuture which aims to educate and 
equip the workforce with skills and know how for the future economy, infrastructure development, 
investment in research, innovations and enterprise 2020 plan will surely help the efforts of 
Singapore Government to prepare its economy for the future.  
4.231.   In the multilateral front, my delegation apprec iates Singapore's highly valued contribution 
to the multilateral trading system and its active engagement in the negotiations in the WTO. The 
dynamic role played by Ambassador Tan Yee Woan and her team in Geneva in proactively 
engaging in ongoing activitie s of WTO is highly commendable.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.232.   I would like to reflect briefly on the close bilateral relations between Singapore and 
Sri Lanka. Singapore is a key trading partner for Sri Lanka. Our strong bilateral relationship has 
grown steadily over the time. The valu e of total trade turnover between the two countries has 
increased from US$809 million in 2005 to US$1 billion in 2015, registering an increase of around 
25%. Sri Lanka was Singapore's 39th largest trading partner and 29th largest export destination in 
2015. The two countries have concluded a few bilateral economic agreements which include an 
Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement signed in May 1979 and revised in April 2014, a bilateral 
Investment Protection Agreement which was signed in May 1980. Singapore  is one of the leading 
contributors in FDI in Sri Lanka and the growth of foreign direct investments from Singapore to 
Sri Lanka over the fast years has been significant. The two countries are keen to pursue a Sri 
Lanka -Singapore Comprehensive Trade Agreem ent which is currently at the preliminary stage of 
negotiations.  
PAKISTAN  
4.233.   The WTO Secretariat so well describes Singapore as a "model of development for 
decades".  
4.234.   Some of globally accepted indices tell an amazing story of excellence and achievement. 
Singa pore stands at Number one in World Bank ease of doing business, it is one the most 
competitive economies in the world only slightly behind Switzerland. It has fifth highest score on 
Logistics performance index, on UNCTAD E -commerce index it stands at 23rd.  Most importantly 
Singapore is no one Asian country on Transparency corruption perception index, it has one of the 
cleanest corruption free public sector, with global standing at number 8.  
4.235.   Since the last review carried out in 2012, Singapore economy contin ues to perform well 
despite global economic downturn. Singapore's trade in goods and services reached nearly four 
times the size of its annual GDP. Economic growth averaged 3.6% per year, both inflation and 
unemployment rates are low and FDI inflows increa sed to reach US$72.1 billion in 2014.  
4.236.   The openness and transparency of Singapore economy that have contributed to such 
sustained growth are both remarkable and commendable. We greatly appreciate Singapore's 
futuristic approach to all issues, investments in  human capital, sustainable development and 
innovation and knowledge based economy are hall marks of Singapore.  
4.237.   We commend the well targeted strategic policies adopted and implemented by the 
Government to pursue its growth. Amongst these measures are the T rade Facilitation measures 
carried out under the TradeFIRST system, the adoption of OIE standards in SPS specifically with 
regard to BSE -related import restrictions, as well as some well targeted Services trade related 
measures as to enhance and sustain Si ngapore's growth trade in Services. Services contribution to 
GDP in 2015 stood at 69%.  
4.238.   We appreciate the trade liberalization regime of Singapore which gives almost duty free 
tariffs on applied MFN tariff regime with the exceptions of only few products, si nce such policy will 
contribute to further enhance trade mainly with developing countries.   
4.239.   Pakistan has excellent bilateral trade relations with Singapore. Bilateral trade has 
increased for the past three years, it went up from US$831 million in 2013 to US$1 billion in 2015, 
trade balance remains largely in favour of Singapore and there is room to further increase trade 
potential between the two countries.  
4.240.   At WTO, we commend the active role and engagement of Singapore as being a strong 
supporter of rules -based multilateral trading system and trade liberalization; it is most outstanding 
friend of system in Geneva. The role played by Ambassador Tan Yee Woan and her team in 
different WTO fora particularly as Chair of Committee on Trade and development in Spec ial 
Session is most outstanding. We immensely appreciate the leadership and initiative shown by 
Singapore in putting forward the paper titled "E -commerce and development", thus enriching the 
ongoing E -commerce debate in the WTO, from developing countries p erspective.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  KINGDOM  OF SAUDI  ARABIA  
4.241.   Since the independence of Singapore in 1963, the Singaporean economy has been growing 
rapidly, as a result the GDP Growth Rate averaged 6.88% from 1975 until 2016 and the country 
has now one of the highest GDP per capit a in the world. The economy depends heavily on foreign 
trade; especially from ports activities and from exports of electronic components and refined oil.  
4.242.   Singapore is to be recognized for having developed and strengthened its economy by 
establishing an op en and free business environment, a modern infrastructure and a strong 
financial system. Its transparent regulatory system supported by a well -secured property rights 
and a wide and efficient competition regime provides commercial security for the country' s 
innovative and resilient private sector.  
4.243.   Due to its status of one of the freest, most competitive and most business -friendly 
economies in the world, Singapore became a leading foreign direct investment recipient.  
4.244.   We commend Singapore for its trust in th e multilateral trading system and for its active 
engagement in negotiations with a view to concluding preferential trade agreements to secure 
more favourable market access for its goods and services within and outside of Asia. The 
GCC-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (GSFTA) is a milestone agreement in strengthening ties 
between Singapore and the GCC countries.  
4.245.   Since 2005, initiatives were taken to develop trade and investment relations between the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Singapore. The Saudi -Singapore B usiness Council (SSBC) was 
established in April 2006 to pave the way for closer economic ties, to strengthen trade cooperation 
and to enhance investment opportunities in the two countries.  
4.246.   The value of two -way trade between the two countries in 2014 excee ded US$11 billion. 
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia primarily exports crude oil, petrochemicals plastics, minerals, 
aluminum, and construction materials to Singapore. Singapore's exports to Saudi Arabia are 
drilling and boring machinery, various engine types, a nd re-exported goods.  
4.247.   In closing, Singapore is an active Member of this Organization and an active supporter of 
the multilateral trading system. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia congratulates Singapore for its solid 
economic performance.  
QATAR  
4.248.   As highlighted in  the Secretariat report, Singapore's economy has witnessed an excellent 
performance since its previous Trade Policy Review in 2012. During the periods from 2012 until 
2015, the growth rate averaged 3.6% per year, while both the inflation and the unemployme nt 
rate averaging at 2 % annually.  
4.249.   The State of Qatar enjoys a deep and robust trade and economic relationship, with the 
center of this relationship is the GCC -Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which has recently came 
into force. As highlighted by Prime Mini ster Lee Hsein Loong during the 6th Qatar -Singapore 
High-level Joint committee meeting in November 2013, our bilateral Trade and Economic 
relationship is excellent and is growing rapidly. Bilateral Trade equates to nearly US$10 billion per 
year as Qatar is  Singapore's third largest trading partner in the Middle East. Our private sectors 
are also heavily involved with each other. Singapore companies participate in major projects in 
Qatar, examples of these activities would be the Singapore company Keppel cor p which is active in 
the Oil and Gas industry, among others. In March 2013, Singapore received its first LNG shipment 
from Qatar Petroleum at its new LNG terminal. We welcome Singapore's efforts and initiatives in 
utilizing more environmentally friendly so urces of energy. Currently, 90% of Singapore's electricity 
is generated using Natural Gas and we look forward to work more collaboratively in the energy 
sector with our friends and colleagues in Singapore.  
4.250.   In Geneva, the Singapore delegation is, without a doubt, an active and profound Member 
of the WTO. They have in many occasions proved to be firm supporters of the Multilateral Trading 
system and an active participant during negotiations. We will look forward to work more 
collaboratively with our colleague s from the Singapore Mission in the future work to come.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  EL SALVADOR  
4.251.   Sólo destacaré algunos puntos para no repetir los detalles que ya han sido expuestos por 
el representante de Singapur, el Ponente y las delegaciones que me han antecedido en la palabra.  
4.252.   Queremos reconocer el buen desempeño de la economía de Singapur, pues a pesar de 
haber disminuido su crecimiento económico, sigue teniendo buenos resultados económicos, así 
como también reconocer su apertura comercial como fundamento importante de su políti ca 
comercial.  
4.253.   Hemos observado también los esfuerzos que el Gobierno de Singapur ha venido realizando 
para enfrentar los retos globales e internos, a través de medidas concretas para la diversificación 
de sus exportaciones y las importantes medidas adoptada s para mantener la competitividad, 
promover la innovación y la investigación.  
4.254.   En el plano bilateral, el comercio entre El Salvador y Singapur ha crecido durante los 
últimos años, con un aumento del 86% de nuestras exportaciones en 2014. Dicho comercio es 
bastante complementario, ya que de conformidad con las cifras del Banco Central de Reserva de El 
Salvador, durante el periodo 2013 -2015 las principales exportaciones de El Salvador hacia 
Singapur se concentraron en café, madera, camisas e insumos para el s ector de plásticos, 
mientras que las importaciones se concentraron en vehículos, aleaciones de aluminio, 
preparaciones alimenticias, aparatos y sus partes, entre otros.  
4.255.   En el plano multilateral, reconocemos el importante papel y el compromiso de Singapur 
con el multilateralismo.  
4.256.   Consideramos que el modelo de Singapur, pese a los retos que enfrenta, sigue siendo un 
modelo importante, inspirador para países en desarrollo, especialmente para un país como El 
Salvador que comparte algunas de sus circunstancias,  como el caso de una población grande en 
un territorio pequeño.  
BÉNIN  
4.257.   Singapour est incontestablement une économie ouverte, diversifiée et dynamique. Le 
commerce apporte une plus -value très significative à l'économie de Singapour, il est classé au 
premier rang dans le Rapport Doing Business, ce qui est une référence utile pour plusieurs autres 
économies au niveau mondial. Au cours de la période à l'examen, le ratio du commerce au PIB a 
été de 368% en moyenne. Le commerce a représenté environ 60% du PIB en v aleur ajoutée et la 
moitié de l'emploi sur la même période. La croissance économique de ce pays est restée stable de 
2012 à 2014, estimée à 3,9% avant de s'établir à 2% en 2015.  
4.258.   Singapour a axé ses politiques sur quatre priorités majeures, à savoir: la pro motion de la 
productivité et une croissance tirée par l'innovation; le soutien au système commercial multilatéral 
fondé sur des règles en vue d'assurer un environnement commercial prévisible et équitable; des 
efforts de libéralisation des échanges pour off rir des perspectives à l'ensemble des entreprises 
établies à Singapour; et la modernisation du cadre réglementaire.  
4.259.   L'attachement de Singapour au système commercial multilatéral s'est également traduit 
par la ratification de l'Accord sur la Facilitation de s Échanges, la présentation de sa notification 
concernant l'octroi d'un traitement préférentiel aux services des Pays les Moins Avancés pour se 
conformer à la Décision sur la Dérogation Services octroyée aux fournisseurs de services des PMA, 
sa participati on active depuis 2003, et son soutien aux travaux des organes ordinaires de l'OMC 
dans le domaine de la surveillance du commerce, du règlement des différends et du renforcement 
des capacités.  
4.260.   La délégation du Bénin encourage Singapour à poursuivre ses réal isations pour une 
transformation structurelle de ses politiques commerciales et de soutien au système commercial 
multilatéral.  
4.261.   La délégation du Bénin voudrait saisir la présente occasion pour remercier Singapour pour 
l'assistance précieuse qu'il accorde au  Gouvernement béninois en matière de renforcement des WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  capacités, à travers l'octroi de bourses de formation aux étudiants et la formation des 
fonctionnaires de l'Administration. Elle souhaite que d'autres axes de coopération soient 
recherchés et activités incessamment.  
KINGDOM  OF BAHRAIN  
4.262.   Singapore has always been an important partner of Bahrain, sharing a strong economic 
relationship. As small island developing nations, we share the same challenges and opportunities 
and have learnt very much from each other  through continuous cooperation over the past three 
decades.  
4.263.   The value of our total non -oil bilateral trade reached more than US$180 million last year. 
Singapore is the major destination for Bahraini chemicals and aluminium, making up a large share 
of the US$91 million exports to Singapore last year, and with the implementation of the recently 
signed GCC -Singapore FTA, we foresee this economic relationship growing event further. We are 
therefore encouraged by the findings of the report, that Singapore's rat e of economic growth 
averaged 3.6% per year during the period under review as well as a very low unemployment rate.  
4.264.   Singapore has also maintained a safe and open business environment which is a model for 
other developing countries.  
ISRAEL  
4.265.   Singapore, over the last decade, has remained one of the WTO Members most deeply 
integrated into the global economy. A fact that makes its economy highly dependent on trade and 
a factor that helps to explain both the high importance Singapore places on the rules -based 
multilateral trading system as well as the constructive role it has assumed in promoting further 
liberalization in the multilateral context.  
4.266.   But this degree of openness means also a high degree of vulnerability, which Singapore 
has demonstrated to manage well  by having weathered successfully the global and regional 
economic challenges faced in the last couple of years. During the period under review, Singapore 
continued delivering positive economic results: it grew steadily at an annual average rate of 3.6% 
from 2012 -2015, with very low levels of unemployment and impressive macroeconomic indicators.  
4.267.   However, in 2015 all the manufacturing clusters with the exception of the chemicals cluster 
saw a decline in output, including a reversal from the 2.7% growth in 2 014. The services 
producing industries grew by 3.4% in 2015 which was supported mainly by the wholesale and 
retail, trade and finance, and insurance sectors.  
4.268.   Singapore's total trade in goods in 2015 nominal terms contracted by 9.5% to 
US$884  billion, compa red to US$977 billion in 2014. Ranking in 2015 a respectable 9th among 
world goods exporters and 10th among importers.  
4.269.   As for Services, its trade expanded modestly by 0.3% to US$389 billion in 2015, compared 
to US$388 billion in 2014, however it continues  to be the most important contributor to its GDP.  
4.270.   With a remarkable trade performance, in the period under review almost all products 
continued to enjoy duty -free treatment under the applied MFN tariff regime, except for six tariff 
lines in some alcoholic beverages which are subject to specific duties. However, only about 70% of 
Singapore's tariffs are bound, with a simple average bound rate of 6.9%.  
4.271.   Bilaterally, Singapore and Israel's trade volume in 2015 exceeded US$1.354 billion. 
Imports from Israel amo unted to US$574.0 million in 2015. Israel exports mostly machinery 
chemical products, and various high -added value services  
4.272.   Singapore's trade and investment regime is one of the most open in the world and it is 
nowadays a major recipient of foreign direct investments, FDI inflows increased to US$72.1 billion 
in 2014 from US$46.8 billion in 2011 and were mainly in financial and insurance services according 
to the secretariat report. However, foreigners are restricted from participating in a few sectors. WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  Israel is interested in hearing further about the rationale for these measures and about possible 
liberalisation plans in these sectors.  
4.273.   Although Israel did not submit questions, we share some similarities in how we realise our 
economies going into the future , placing an emphasis on innovation and value -added services, in 
this context we would be interested in hearing further about the Committee on the Future 
Economy and its proposals for innovation -led growth. Also we are interested in learning more 
about ini tiatives promoting advance manufacturing and on Singapore's efforts towards improving 
labour productivity  
4.274.   Plurilaterally, we are both parties to the ITA and GPA and are pleased to be working closely 
alongside Singapore in the negotiations on the Environmen tal Goods Agreement; multilaterally, we 
are both engaged in the efforts towards the successful conclusion of the DDA.  
4.275.   Israel would like to applaud Singapore's demonstrated commitment with globalization, 
openness, and the Multilateral Trading System and wis h Singapore a very successful seventh 
Trade Policy Review.  
KENYA  
4.276.   Kenya and Singapore have trade and investment relations for many years which have seen 
the increase in trade between the two countries.  
4.277.   We take note that Singapore's economic growth slowed do wn, registering an average GDP 
growth of about 3.6% per year during the review period. However, the inflation and 
unemployment maintained a low level rate averaging at about 1.9% and 2% annually respectively 
in the period. The growth was mainly driven by e xternal demand and consumption. The service 
sector was very significant and contributed about 69% to the nominal GDP and 71% of the total 
employment.  
4.278.   We also note that Singapore's Foreign Direct Investment increased by 18% from 
US$61.0  billion to US$72.1 b illion from 2012 to 2014. The main sector attracting FDI was financial 
and insurance services which formed 47.5%.  
4.279.   We take note that Singapore's trade policy objectives have remained the same since the 
last review. Further, openness to trade and investments  remains the key feature of Singapore's 
trade policy.  
4.280.   We commend Singapore's commitment to the rule -based multilateral trading system and 
being a promoter of trade liberalization in the WTO. Singapore has almost all imports entering duty 
free under the app lied MFN tariff regime.  
4.281.   We note that Singapore was among the first Members' of the WTO to ratify the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement and has notified all the provisions of Category A commitments and has also 
ensured up to date notification of the WTO provisio ns. We appreciate these efforts and encourage 
Singapore to continue with this spirit.  
4.282.   On the bilateral front, Singapore remains an important trade partner for Kenya. In the 
period 2012 to 2015, Kenya's total trade with Singapore was US$695.19 million. Tota l exports 
were US$51.18 million while imports were US$644.01 million. The trade balance was in favour of 
Singapore. Kenya's main exports to Singapore were ores and concentrates of base metals, tea and 
mate, petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, fruits and nuts, crude vegetable 
materials, coffee and coffee substitutes, vegetables and vegetable products while imports were 
petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, polymers of ethylene in primary forms, 
synthetic fibres sui table for spinning, fixed vegetable fats, crude, refined or fractionated, other 
than "soft", automatic data processing machines and units thereof; magnetic, civil engineering and 
contractors' plant and equipment, other machinery and equipment specialized f or particular 
industries, paper and paperboard, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti -sprouting, 
aircraft and associated equipment; spacecraft (including satellites).  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  4.283.   Finally, Kenya once again welcomes the efforts by Singapore in enhanci ng its overall 
economic growth and development through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives.  
CAMBODIA  
4.284.   My delegation associates itself with the statement made by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN.  
4.285.   Cambodia and Singapore were established bilateral rela tions on 10 August 1965. Economic 
relations between Cambodia and Singapore have expanded over the years. Both countries 
cooperate closely through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). In 2002, Singapore 
established the Cambodia -Singapore Training Cent re in Phnom Penh under the Initiative for ASEAN 
Integration to train Cambodian officials. In January 2015, Cambodia and Singapore signed a 
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on IP protection and contribute to the larger 
development of the regio n's IP ecosystem.  
4.286.   In 2012, Singapore was 6th largest trading partner of Cambodia. Singapore investments in 
Cambodia grew 11% account for 240 million. Singapore -based companies have invested in 
Cambodia in sectors such as property development, hospitality, energy, lifestyle business, 
garment, agriculture and logistics. Bilateral trade has grown 17% since 2010 and amounted to 
$1.6 billion in 2013. Nowadays, the Economic relations and cooperation of both countries have 
been strengthened.  
4.287.   Finally, my delegatio n commends on the constructive role of Singapore in helping ASEAN 
LDCs especially in capacity building and would like to encourage Singapore to increase assistance 
in human resource development in field of IP and other advanced trade related issues. My 
delegation wishes Singapore a successful of their 7th Trade Policy Review.  
LAO PDR 
4.288.   On behalf of Lao delegation, I would also like to join the ASEAN statement delivered by 
Ambassador Mariam Salleh of Malaysia.  
4.289.   Lao PDR, as a regional partner of Singapore withi n the ASEAN, recognizes Singapore for its 
commitment to the multilateral trading system and its efforts to further liberalize its trade -related 
policies.  
4.290.   Singapore is an important partner of Lao PDR. The total trade in goods amounted to 
approximately US$$7 2.55 million in 2015, of which imports from Singapore to Lao PDR accounted 
for US$59.17 million, while Lao PDR exports to the Singapore market amounted to 
US$13.38  million. Foreign investor in Laos with investment of 34 projects totalling to 
US$101.3  million in the period of 2008 to 2016.  
4.291.   Over the past decade bilateral trade relations between the two countries have had a 
growing trend, with further potential for developing trade relations. Lao PDR and Singapore share 
strong bilateral relations and continue  to work together not only in trade and investment, but also 
in tourism, education and other fields of cooperation and development as well as technical 
assistances to Lao PDR for the long tradition before and after Laos joining the ASEAN.  
4.292.   Lao PDR is confi dent that our economic partnership will continue to grow in the future, 
especially as both countries are members of ASEAN. Let me conclude by expressing appreciation 
to Singapore for its commitment to the multilateral trade processes and voice in the impor tance of 
a rules -based multilateral trading system.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF SINGAPO RE AND ADDITIONAL CO MMENTS  
5.1.  Madam Chair, let me first thank you and our discussant, Ambassador De Mateo, for your 
insightful comments and questions. You helped to f rame and facilitate a very productive TPR 
session for us. I would also like to thank the 38 Members who spoke on Tuesday. We appreciate 
your active interest in Singapore's trade policy and your affirmation. Your constructive suggestions 
are also well taken . Allow me to address some of the points that you have raised.  
Facing the challenges of a global trade slowdown  
5.2.  As several Members pointed out, Singapore has also been affected by the ongoing global 
economic slowdown. This has been compounded by global tr ade lagging behind world GDP growth. 
Small and open economies like Singapore, which are proponents of free trade and efficient global 
markets, are particularly vulnerable to the vicissitudes of the global economy. At the same time, 
Singapore has to continu e pressing on with overcoming our domestic constraints in land, labour 
and natural resources.  
Maintaining an open market  
5.3.  At the crossroads between globalization, technological change and growing protectionist 
sentiments amidst adjustment challenges, Singap ore has made clear our position. Our policies 
reflect our commitment to open markets. This includes policies that facilitate participation in 
international markets and global value chains, and also policies that welcome global production 
and trade flows to  our market.  
5.4.  Staying open as the global context changes, does not mean maintaining status quo. Instead, 
we have sought to proactively press on with structural reform focusing on innovation and 
productivity -led growth. We have also worked hard with like -minded partners and entered into 
agreements that promote trade outcomes consistent with the objectives of the multilateral system. 
We are committed to staying on the course.  
5.5.  The Committee on the Future Economy, which some Members have enquired about, is a k ey 
platform in this respect. We note the strong interest from Members on the work of the Committee 
which is tasked with identifying future growth opportunities and strategies for the Singapore 
economy. The Committee's recommendations are expected to be pub lished early next year. We 
will be happy to share our findings with Members.  
Inclusive growth  
5.6.  At the same time, we note debates in many parts of the world on the importance of social 
outcomes alongside the pursuit of trade benefits. We believe this is an important point. For 
Singapore, social development and progress is a core objective, and at the same time a key 
enabler of economic development. Many of our policies are targeted at achieving inclusive growth, 
with measures to redistribute the benefits of globalization in a way that encourages 
entrepreneurship and effort, while preserving individual dignity and drive. Ambassador De Mateo 
and several Members highlighted several factors. While these are not observations unique to 
Singapore, I would like to me ntion two areas where Singapore has made determined efforts to 
improve on: first, income pressures reflected in the GINI coefficient; and second, women's 
participation in the workforce.  
5.7.  To mitigate inequality, Singapore has kept the overall tax burden low  while providing 
targeted support for the low and middle -income groups. We continue to invest heavily in education 
and skills upgrading, and have also stepped up efforts in job -matching, as we believe that 
employment and quality jobs are the best and most sustainable approaches towards improving the 
standards of living of our people. To this end, Singapore has managed to sustain real income 
growth across all income groups over the past decade, with at least 3% growth in average 
household incomes per annum. But this remains a challenge and a work in progress.  
5.8.  Given our manpower constraints, we have to maximize the contributions of all our people. 
This includes the need for greater female workforce participation. Our female labour force 
participation rate has risen from 54% in 2006 to just above 60% in 2015, higher than the 52% WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  average of OECD countries. One significant area where work continues is in helping women 
re-enter the workforce after childbirth. More supportive childcare, providing for longer paid 
maternity leave and promoting the adoption of flexible work arrangements are examples of 
measures we have adopted. We continue to look at ways to foster greater female participation in 
the workforce.  
Trade policy  
5.9.  On the issue of Singapore's bound duty commit ments, we are taking steps to increase it 
through our participation in the ITA and its recent expansion, and the ongoing EGA negotiations. 
Our binding coverage will be further increased in the context of future market access negotiations. 
Meanwhile, our ap plied tariffs are zero for virtually all products.  
5.10.   On Services and Investments, Singapore maintains a generally liberal regime, consistent 
with our philosophy that a high -performing economy needs, at its core, a competitive range of 
supporting functions s uch as logistics, telecommunications and business services amongst others. 
In some specific areas, however, we have to take into account regulatory needs and 
considerations.  
5.11.   In legal services, the restrictions are only in place for the practice of Singapo re law. This is 
due to our small domestic market and the need to maintain the high standards of the legal 
profession. We have fully liberalized the practice of foreign and international law. In financial 
services, the expansion of the retail banking sector  is calibrated to maintain efficiency, confidence 
and stability in the financial system.  
5.12.   In the telecommunications sector, price regulation is only imposed on dominant licensees to 
prevent the abuse of market power and anti -competitive practices. The inten t is to allow for 
competition, rather than to stifle it. Non -dominant licensees are not subject to such a regulation.  
SPS 
5.13.   A few Members also posed questions on our SPS regime. As a net food importer with no 
agricultural base, the availability and safety o f food is of utmost importance to Singapore. It is 
neither Singapore's intent, nor in our interest, to impede the flow of imports. The measures we 
have in place are for protection of public health and safety. We have responded to the specific 
questions rai sed in our written responses, and would be happy to continue discussing them on a 
bilateral basis with Members.  
NTM unit  
5.14.   Members had also expressed interest in our newly established NTM unit. As I mentioned in 
my opening remarks, the unit's function is tw o-fold. First, to identify and address NTMs faced by 
companies based in Singapore, and second, to ensure that Singapore's trade measures are 
consistent with our international obligations. The NTM unit's work complements the work of 
UNCTAD and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) on the collection 
and cataloguing of ASEAN's NTMs. We hope to share the outcomes of the unit's work in time to 
come. We believe that addressing NTMs should be a priority for all of us, and we look forward t o 
working with Members on this.  
Technical assistance  
5.15.   We are heartened to hear the positive feedback from some Members that have benefited 
from our various technical assistance programmes. Singapore is committed to helping other 
developing countries partici pate in the multilateral trading system through the Singapore 
Cooperation Programme. Together with the WTO Secretariat, we organized a training course on 
Trade in Services last year, as well as a Trade Dialogue ahead of MC10. This year, we will be 
organizi ng a workshop on Agriculture and SPS, as well as one on Trade Facilitation and TBT, for 
participants in the Asia -Pacific region. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with other 
Members to strengthen the programme and maximize its reach.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  Concluding remar ks 
5.16.   Madam Chair, let me reiterate the value of the TPR process to Singapore. The honest and 
constructive views provided by Members have been most useful to us. While you have been very 
generous in your compliments, we are also well aware that the implicit c hallenge in them is for us 
to stay the course.  
5.17.   At this juncture, I am glad to inform Members that Singapore has responded to all 
213 written questions that we have received.  
5.18.   I will conclude by reaffirming Singapore's commitment to the WTO's rules -based mu ltilateral 
trading system. We will continue to work with Members towards ensuring the WTO's strength and 
relevance.  
5.19.   On behalf of my delegation, I once again thank you, Madam Chair, our discussant, 
Ambassador Fernando De Mateo; the Secretariat; and all Memb ers for your active participation 
and contributions. Thank You.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.20.   Señora Presidente, Irene B. K. Young, Secretario Permanente Sr. Loh Khum Yean, 
Embajadora Yee Woan Tan, colegas.  
5.21.   En la reunión del pasado martes, fuimos testigos de comentarios muy interesantes y 
constructivos sobre las políticas comerciales de Singapur; me gustaría destacar algunos de ellos 
aunque evidentemente voy a repetir varias de las cosas que el Sr. Loh Khum Yean acaba de 
mencionar.  
5.22.   Primero, quiero señalar que los Miembros des tacaron el gran papel de Singapur como un 
defensor fundamental del Sistema Multilateral de Comercio y su papel ejemplar en la OMC, en las 
negociaciones y en los comités regulares, y su participación en iniciativas plurilaterales como el 
ITA y el EGA. Ademá s, es uno de los Miembros que le dan gran prioridad al cumplimiento de las 
obligaciones de la Organización en materia de notificación.  
5.23.   Todos los Miembros elogiaron a Singapur como un modelo de desarrollo económico, con 
estrategias concretas para el futuro  y con una vocación clara hacia el comercio internacional, lo 
que le ha llevado a posicionarse en los primeros lugares de las clasificaciones mundiales para 
hacer negocios, competitividad, bienestar social y desarrollo humano. Hicieron hincapié en que, a 
pesar de la difícil coyuntura mundial, su régimen comercial y de inversiones, uno de los más 
abiertos en el mundo, estables y transparentes del mundo, le ha proporcionado a su economía las 
herramientas para enfrentar los choques externos. Destacaron que el comercio de bienes y 
servicios representan casi cuatro veces el valor de su PIB, una de las tasas más altas del mundo. 
Esto lo ha logrado a través de una inclusión exitosa en las cadenas globales y regionales de valor.  
5.24.   Los Miembros también destacaron el e xcelente manejo de las variables macroeconómicas, 
con una tasa de inflación y una de desempleo a niveles muy bajos, al tiempo que alertaron de los 
posibles efectos negativos de contar con tasas negativas. También se mencionó reiteradamente el 
hecho de que,  desde que logró su independencia, su PIB ha crecido en promedio 9,5% anual, lo 
que ha redituado en que su PIB per cápita se encuentre entre los más elevados del mundo.  
5.25.   Sin embargo, expresaron que en los últimos cuatro años, el crecimiento del PIB se ha 
desacelerado, lo cual podría ser aún más preocupante si miramos las perspectivas para los 
próximos años. Aunado a esto, otros Miembros recomendaron a Singapur enfrentar el 
envejecimiento de su población, la escasez de mano de obra y las restricciones territo riales y 
energéticas.  
5.26.   Varios Miembros aplaudieron, que para hacer frente a estos problemas, Singapur haya 
implementado políticas para restructurar su economía a través de incrementos en la productividad 
y en la innovación, así como con el establecimiento del Comité de Economía del Futuro. 
Destacaron que Singapur es una muestra de que la innovación y la restructuración de la economía WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  es la mejor estrategia para enfrentar los riesgos económicos en lugar de la imposición de medidas 
proteccionistas.  
5.27.   Algunos M iembros destacaron el importante papel de los incentivos fiscales y no fiscales 
dirigidos a la innovación, a la investigación y al desarrollo como una herramienta importante para 
apuntalar la transformación de su economía. Por otra parte, algunos otros apl audieron el apoyo de 
Singapur en la reducción global de los subsidios a los combustibles fósiles, lo que disminuirá 
distorsiones al comercio y, más importante, las emisiones que generan el efecto invernadero y el 
calentamiento global.  
5.28.   En materia de facilit ación del comercio, muchos Miembros reconocieron a Singapur como un 
modelo a seguir, destacaron el sistema basado en riesgo, llamado TradeFIRST, por el cual las 
aduanas otorgan facilidad comercial de conformidad con cinco categorías de empresas, las cuales  
van desde básica a Premium. Además, recordaron que Singapur fue el segundo Miembro de la 
OMC en ratificar el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio y destacaron la notificación de todas 
sus medidas bajo la Categoría A.  
5.29.   En cuanto a su régimen arancelario,  los Miembros manifestaron que Singapur continúa 
aplicando cero arancel a todos los productos, con excepción de 6 fracciones para cerveza y bebidas 
espirituosas. Los Miembros subrayaron que, a pesar de esta apertura comercial, sólo el 70% de los 
aranceles estén consolidados y que, si bien Singapur ha señalado su disposición a consolidar el 
total de sus aranceles en el marco de negociaciones más amplias, el nivel de aranceles no 
consolidados podría generar cierto grado de incertidumbre a los operadores comer ciales, por lo 
que, algunos Miembros lo invitaron a hacerlo de manera autónoma.  
5.30.   En materia de medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, algunos destacaron el papel de 
congruencia de sus medidas con el CODEX respecto al tema alimentario y protección fitosanitar ia. 
Por otra parte, algunos lamentaron que Singapur no aplique el principio de regionalización cuando 
ocurren brotes de enfermedades de ganado sino que aplica sus medidas a todos los Miembros de 
la OMC.  
5.31.   Los Miembros agradecieron y enfatizaron el compromis o de Singapur con la creación de 
capacidad y asistencia técnica, dirigida principalmente a los países menos adelantados.  
5.32.   Finalmente, los Miembros destacaron el importante crecimiento de la captación de inversión 
extranjera directa, al pasar de 48 a 65 mil  millones de dólares EE.UU. en el periodo de examen. Al 
mismo tiempo, los Miembros mencionaron que Singapur mantiene algunas restricciones a la 
participación extranjera, principalmente en los servicios jurídicos, servicios de radiodifusión y en el 
sector b ancario minorista.  
5.33.   Estamos seguros de que Singapur continuará implementado políticas gubernamentales que 
le permitirán continuar en los primeros lugares en todos los índices de clasificación económica y de 
bienestar social y desarrollo humano. Muchas grac ias. 
TURKEY  
5.34.   Due to my busy schedule these days, I could not participate in the first session of the 7th 
TPR meeting of Singapore. Therefore, I would like to make my statement today.  
5.35.   Singapore is a small, but wealthy state with an open and trade -driven eco nomy. As referred 
to in the Secretariat report, Singapore's economy continues to perform well since its last trade 
policy review in 2012 despite slightly moderated growth rates compared to the previous review 
period. Economic growth averaged around 3.6% pe r year during 2012 -15, along with low inflation 
and unemployment, both averaging around 2% annually. Singapore's GDP has grown by a 
spectacular average of 9.5% annually since independence in 1965. Singapore has one of the 
highest per capita GDP in the worl d, which exceeded US$53,000 in 2015. The growth has largely 
benefited from visionary leaders, good governance and an open and transparent trade and 
investment regime using Singapore's location as a strategic advantage.  
5.36.   Singapore, which is among the most li beral economies in the world, has been a steadfast 
advocate of the rules -based multilateral trading system and promotor of trade liberalization in the WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  WTO. It is placed in the top tier of many international economic performance statistics. Its deep 
integra tion in the global economy has been an important driver of its economic growth and 
development. I would like to express my appreciation to Singapore for setting such an excellent 
example of a free, open, and stable trading regime. At this stage, I wish to underline that, 
Singapore has been ranked first in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index from 2006 till 
today. This is one of the many aspects of the Singaporean economy to be commended.  
5.37.   I have to tribute to the Government of Singapore also for the ir policy which gives a 
particular attention to gender equality in job market as well for their efforts ensuring the 
participation of women in public and private sectors work.  
5.38.   In terms of bilateral relations, Turkey and Singapore have been enjoying strong  political and 
economic relations since the early years of 70's. Our bilateral economic relations with Singapore 
have gained a significant momentum in recent years. The bilateral trade volume exceeded 
US$800  million, increasing approximately three fold bet ween 2005 and 2015. However, taking into 
account the real potential of our economies, we seek to further enhance our bilateral economic 
relations with Singapore.  
5.39.   In 2014, Turkish and Singaporean Prime Ministers signed the "Joint Declaration on a 
Strategic  Partnership", which paved the way for the exploration of further trade and investment 
flows between our respective regions. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Turkey and 
Singapore was signed in November 2015 during H.E. Prime Minister Lee's visit to T urkey on the 
occasion of the G -20 Leaders Summit. This is the most comprehensive FTA that Turkey has ever 
signed, as it includes public procurements and the services sector alongside goods trade and 
investment. We hope that the FTA can enter into force as soon as possible so that businesses in 
Singapore and Turkey can benefit soon from this landmark Agreement.  
5.40.   I applaud Singapore's active participation in and contributions to the WTO negotiations 
under the leadership of my dear friend, Her Excellency Ambass ador Yee Woan Tan and her able 
team in Geneva. Our two Missions enjoy great cooperation and support from each other.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.41.   Let me first express our sincere appreciation to the delegation of Singapore for the 
comprehensive presentation given on Tue sday and today.  
5.42.   The EU notes that this review has been very helpful for better understanding the most 
recent initiatives carried out by Singapore, which have an impact on its trade policy, namely the 
"Industry Transformation Programme" as well as the launc h of the "Committee on the Future 
Economy".  
5.43.   We appreciate that in the course of this exercise Singapore has acknowledged that there are 
a few areas that need to be further improved and we encourage Singapore to consider the 
feedback received by Members dur ing this review.  
5.44.   The EU looks forward to reviewing the replies to our questions for which we also thank 
Singapore very much.  
5.45.   In conclusion, The EU thanks the delegation of Singapore for its active and constructive 
participation in this TPR. Thank you.  
UNITED STATES  
5.46.   Just very briefly to express the United States gratitude to Singapore for its active 
participation in this important process and, in particular, for the early circulation of the written 
responses to questions. We have no follow -up questions for Singapore. Thank you.  
JAMAICA  
5.47.   The delegation of Jamaica welcomes Mr. Loh Khum Yean, and the members of the 
delegation who are visiting us from Capital, to Geneva.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  5.48.   We also thank you Madam Chair for your able stewardship of Singapore's Trade Policy 
Review an d discussant Ambassador De Mateo for his invaluable contribution to this process.  
5.49.   The delegation of Jamaica congratulates the Government of Singapore and the WTO 
Secretariat for this fruitful execution of Singapore's seventh Trade Policy Review. We acknowl edge 
and applaud the Government and people of Singapore for the various trade and economic 
initiatives taken since their last Trade Policy Review in the WTO. We recognize the efforts made by 
the Government of Singapore to focus on four key priorities over the period under review. Indeed, 
Singapore's efforts towards enhancing productivity and innovation -led growth; supporting the 
rules-based multilateral trading system; promoting trade; and modernizing their domestic 
regulatory regime have helped them to mai ntain their position as one of the leading economies of 
the current era.  
5.50.   We also wish to recognize Singapore's sterling example for other Members and their 
unwavering support in all aspects of the multilateral negotiating agenda, in particular, in the are as 
of Trade Facilitation and the Committee on Trade and Development in Special Session.  
5.51.   The delegation of Jamaica takes this opportunity to extend our best wishes to the delegation 
of Singapore for a successful completion of the country's seventh WTO Trad e Policy Review.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  This seventh Trade Policy Review has provided an excellent opportunity for Members to 
better understand Singapore's economic and trade policies and their recent developments. Our 
dialogue has been tho rough and comprehensive, owing to the openness of the Singaporean 
delegation, led by Mr. Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Trade and 
Industry; and the constructive comments of the discussant, Ambassador Fernando de Mateo from 
Mexico, and of the 40 Members that have taken the floor.  
6.2.  Many Members congratulated Singapore for its strong economic fundamentals and successful 
development model. Members also praised Singapore's openness to trade and investment, and for 
creating an exemplary en vironment for doing business. The Singaporean economy has continued 
to perform well since the last TPR in 2012, although the pace of growth has been more moderate 
than in the past. Singapore has been facing new challenges, particularly with regard to 
produ ctivity and an ageing population. Members welcomed Singapore's ongoing efforts in 
restructuring the economy, as it is shifting from labour -intensive activities towards innovation -led 
growth and higher productivity.  
6.3.  With respect to specific trade measures, Members encouraged Singapore to liberalize its 
remaining restrictions on investment and trade in services, including legal services. Several 
Members sought clarification and more transparency regarding the array of fiscal privileges and 
other incentives th at Singapore has put in place. Questions were also raised regarding existing 
policies, such as import licensing, the rice stockpile scheme, and the vehicle quota regime. A 
recurring issue of interest was the role played in the economy by the State, governm ent-linked 
companies, statutory boards and their companies.  
6.4.  Another area of general interest was Singapore's tariff regime. It was noted that Singapore 
levied tariffs on only six tariff lines (namely beer and some other spirits), but around 30% of 
Singapor e's tariff lines were unbound, and the bound rates ranged from zero to 10%. Members 
continued to enquire about the prospect of increasing the binding coverage and reducing the gap 
between bound and applied rates, in order to enhance predictability.  
6.5.  With re spect to new trade policy initiatives, Members were particularly interested in 
regulatory changes in the area of intellectual property, where Singapore had introduced a positive 
patent grant system, amended copyright legislation, and passed new legislation  on the protection 
of geographical indications. Several Members expressed concern, or sought clarification, 
regarding: first, certain SPS and TBT measures (for example, recognition of regionalization 
measures and Singapore's plain packaging policy on tobac co products); and second, difficulties of 
foreign companies in participating in the government procurement market due to prior local 
experience requirements.  
6.6.  There was considerable interest in Singapore's involvement in regional trade agreements, 
and the i nstitutional framework governing its domestic economic and trade policies, notably the 
work of the dedicated Non -Tariff Measures Unit within the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the 
newly -established Committee on the Future Economy, which has been taske d to identify growth 
opportunities and strategies for the country.  
6.7.  Members commended Singapore for its active role in the WTO and support for the 
multilateral trading system, as demonstrated by its compliance with the transparency and 
notification requirem ents, prompt ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, participation in 
the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement and the negotiations on an Environmental 
Goods Agreement, Singapore's provision of technical assistance to other Members, as well as its 
contribution to the discussions after the Tenth Ministerial Conference. Singapore's effort in 
promoting a broad based fossil fuel subsidy reform was also acknowledged.  
6.8.  During the discussion, Singapore explained its policy strategies in the c ontext of the country's 
developmental nee ds, strengths and constraints. I t also addressed issues identified by Members. It 
emphasized the importance of trade to Singapore's economy, and affirmed the country's 
commitment to maintaining an open and competiti ve economy, and to a course of economic 
restructuring which could boost productivity and innovation -led growth.  WT/TPR/W/112  • Singapore  
 
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  6.9.  By now, Singapore has already responded to all advance written questions posed by 
Members, as well as all the additional questions that came aft er. I hope that Singapore will find 
Members' perspectives and suggestions useful in reviewing and further refining its economic and 
trade policies.  
6.10.   I now invite colleagues to join me in congratulating Singapore on the successful conclusion 
of this TPR.  
__________