Factsheet

Singapore Introduces SGTraDex, an Interoperable Common
Data Infrastructure to Connect Supply Chain Ecosystems
SGTraDex pilots have potential to unlock more than S$200 million of value annually
AfA Journey
Recognising the need to overcome COVID-19’s challenges and identify new ways to drive
Singapore’s economy forward, the Emerging Stronger Taskforce (EST)1 convened seven Alliances
for Action2 (AfA) in June 2020. The AfA on Supply Chain Digitalisation brought together theprivate and public sector to address challenges and explore opportunities to transform the supply
chain ecosystem.
The AfA recognised that building a common “digital infrastructure” to underpin and ease data
sharing would enable multiple stakeholders to come together to drive economic transformation.
To enable this, a common data infrastructure and data-sharing framework, designed to be
neutral and open, was conceptualised by the AfA. This infrastructure will allow the trusted
exchange of data, connect supply chain ecosystems both locally and globally, and support
ecosystem-wide digital transformation.
This is part of a suite of digital infrastructure and utilities being developed, including theSGFinDex for the financial sector, that provides a strong foundation for Singapore’s DigitalEconomy.
SGTraDex
The Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex) was developed and driven by three initial use
cases, that represent various core-use archetypes, to push the boundaries of innovation for atrusted data exchange. The SGTraDex use cases demonstrated the ability to:•Strengthen financing integrity of trade flows: SGTraDex enables participants toreconcile trade data with actual physical flows. With access to actionable data in a timely
manner, participants are able to easily reconcile the authenticity of key trade information
and allow their financier to fund the trade with confidence. This use case provides for thelocal and global sharing of trade data. It also provides for innovative financing solutions,
to be developed on top of SGTraDex.

1 The Emerging Stronger Taskforce (EST) was formed under the Future Economy Council (FEC) to review how Singapore

can stay economically resilient and build new sources of dynamism to emerge stronger from COVID-19. For more
information on the EST, visit www.emergingstronger.sg
The first seven AfAs formed in June 2020 are in the areas of Digitalising Built Environment, Robotics, Supply Chain
Digitalisation, Sustainability, Edutech, Facilitating Smart Commerce, and Enabling Safe and Innovative VisitorExperiences.
2•Enhance end-to-end visibility of container logistics flows: SGTraDex enables thesharing of operational and events data to provide greater visibility to supply chain
logistics partners such as hauliers and shippers, who can then better co-ordinate andoptimise the movement of container and cargo flows to and from manufacturing sites,warehouses, depots and ports. The improved visibility will unlock the ability of supply
chain ecosystem partners to plan better, improve their asset utilisation, increase
productivity and enhance operational efficiencies, keeping their businesses agile andresilient.

•Provide real time visibility - digitalising the bunkering industry: SGTraDex enables
the industry to digitalise documentation and processes associated with the delivery ofbunkers. This improved transparency allows companies to reconcile actual usage andhelps bunkering players enhance their operational efficiency and financing, close to realtime.

The three initial use cases have the potential to unlock more than S$200 million (US$150million) of value annually when fully developed.
Public-Private Partnership – Driving Development and Adoption of SGTraDex
To anchor the public-private partnership, a Heads of Agreement (HoA) was signed by Infocomm
Media Development Authority (IMDA), AfA Co-Chairs PSA International and Trafigura, and key
industry participants DBS Bank, Jurong Port, OCBC Bank, Ocean Network Express, Oiltanking,Pacific International Lines, Standard Chartered Bank, and United Overseas Bank.
Under the HoA, partners will build on this initial momentum to expand the scope of existing usecases, develop new ones, bring onboard their respective ecosystems, and drive SGTraDex’s
adoption locally and globally. SGTraDex has the added flexibility to be the data infrastructure forother sectors, ranging from construction to aviation, unlocking even more potential value.
SGTraDex is expected to be fully rolled out in early 2022, allowing more industry players toparticipate and capture value from it. For more information on how to participate in SGTraDex,
please visit www.sgtradex.com.

###About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation
with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive
digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent,
strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICM infrastructure. IMDA also
regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while
fostering a pro-business environment and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime throughthe Personal Data Protection Commission.

For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook IMDAsg andTwitter @IMDAsg.
For media clarifications, please contact:
Christopher Koh (Mr)
Senior Manager
Communications and Marketing, IMDA
DID: (65) 9144 1995
Email: Christopher_KOH@imda.gov.sg

Quotes from Signatories of the SGTraDex Heads of Agreement
1. IMDA“By implementing a common digital infrastructure, within a common data framework, we enable
the supply chain ecosystem to easily share data across multiple partners. This generates
significant value. We call SGTraDex a ‘digital utility’. Much like infrastructure in physical world,
this provides an infrastructure foundation in the digital world, and is one of several we arespearheading with the industry. SGTraDex is neutral and open, providing a base on which
partners can build value-added services. We look forward to work closely in this public-private
partnership to transform the supply chain sector, for a start. We also see tremendous potential
for SGTraDex across many other parts of our economy which can benefit from a trusted data
sharing infrastructure.”
Lew Chuen Hong,
Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore

2. PSA International“At the heart of it, end-to-end supply chain visibility is only possible if we have robust structuresin place that enable a myriad of stakeholders to collaborate with trust, and at scale. Previously
trust had to be established on a one-to-one relational basis. Digitalisation now offers us theopportunity to change this and build trust into a network through a neutral digital utility such as
SGTraDex. Built upon a strong public-private partnership model that is a signature of theSingapore brand, SGTraDex offers us the platform to reform the conventional paradigms of thetrade ecosystem towards a culture of data sharing nation-wide as well as internationally,underpinned by good data governance.
PSA has been working with supply chain partners locally and globally during recent years topromote supply chain digitalization but with varying success pre-COVID. We are confident thatthe approach taken in SGTraDex, fostering stronger convergence of public-private interests andinnovative fervor, will underpin the development and adoption of the digital supply chain
platforms that will transform and enhance Singapore’s position in global trade and supplychains.”
Tan Chong Meng,Group CEO, PSA International Pte Ltd
Co-chair, Action for Alliance on Supply Chain Digitalisation

3. Trafigura“Trafigura fully supports this major step forward in the live development of SGTraDex digital
infrastructure, whose development to date has been driven by a strong public-private sector
collaboration to improve data sharing, process flows and transparency within the supply chain
ecosystem. We believe that SGTraDex is now well positioned to play an important role in thefuture in strengthening Singapore’s natural position as a hub for international trade and as acentre of excellence for cross border supply chain finance.”
Tan Chin Hwee,CEO Asia Pacific, Trafigura Pte Ltd
Co-chair, Action for Alliance on Supply Chain Digitalisation
4. DBS“Digitalisation will continue to drive the evolution of trade in unprecedented ways. The current
pandemic has forced us to focus on digitalising our supply chains and I believe that in the near
future, global trade will look markedly different. It is therefore imperative for Singapore as a
global trade hub to be future-ready. Several initiatives to digitalise onshore trade services havebeen pursued over the years within Singapore, but the absence of an end-to-end horizontal viewhas come in the way of both effectiveness and efficiency. Likewise, global efforts to digitalise
supply chains have existed for several years but faced challenges in terms of driving usage atscale and gaining consensus on platforms. This is where we hope SGTraDex will be a
gamechanger by solving for in-country workflows and processes, catalysing a different approachfor cross border collaboration at scale. Together, the SGTraDex and SGFinDex infrastructures will
help showcase Singapore as a truly data driven country, providing the infrastructural highways
for the new economy.”
Piyush Gupta,CEO, DBS Group
5. Jurong Port
“As Singapore’s premier multi-purpose port operator, Jurong Port (JP) handles a diverse range ofbulk, breakbulk and containerised commodities, such as construction materials and petroleum
products that are vital for our nation’s supply chains. SGTraDex will be a key infrastructure toenhance transparency, efficiency and security of information flows through its common datainfrastructure. JP is privileged to be part of this public-private partnership model as we lookforward to helping Singapore emerge stronger in a post-COVID world.”
Ooi Boon Hoe,CEO, Jurong Port

6. OCBC“It is exciting to see the use of technology and a public-private partnership model to create atrusted and secured data sharing infrastructure for trade. One key threat to trade is fraud. To
mitigate the risks, banks have been looking for solutions to secure the data and its flow,
authenticate the parties and documents, in a transparent way from end to end for each trade. We
have not been able to crack it. SGTraDex will address all the pain points, and even present
business opportunities for innovative solutions. It is a game changer, further enhancing the trust
and reputation of Singapore as a global trading hub and a leading financial centre. Adopting a
use-case approach to build the common data infrastructure to solve business issues and create
value is very pragmatic. Working with the partners, OCBC will develop more use cases beyond
commodity trading and the bunkering industry. Through it, we can maximise the potential ofSGTraDex and support the strong growth of both local and international trade flow after theCOVID-19 pandemic.”
Helen Wong,CEO, OCBC Bank
7. Ocean Network Express“Digitalisation is essential to shaping the future of international trade and global supply chainsby reinforcing interoperability amongst multiple stakeholders and creating seamless end-to-end
digital solutions. Securing a common data infrastructure approach and interchanging trusted
data flow is essential. As ONE, we are honored to be one of the founding members of SGTraDex,
and through this new and innovative public-private partnership model, hope to be able to further
enhance Singapore’s position as a major global trade hub.”Jeremy Nixon,
CEO of Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd.

8. Oiltanking“Oiltanking is one of the largest global logistic partners and has been active since 1972. We own
3 terminals in Singapore with over 2.2 million cbm of oils, gases and chemicals storage. With ourcontinued success in oil commodity trading and logistics hub brought about by the robust
commodity ecosystem and business-friendly government policies in Singapore, Oiltanking ispleased to join the industry-led public-private partnership initiative to enhance digitalisation in
the supply chain. SGTraDex will be core to this digitalisation initiative in realising significant gains
in various key areas like utilisation of assets, process efficiencies and building trust andtransparency in the ecosystem.
Singapore, as a global trading hub, has always been synonymous with trust, transparency andefficiency. This positive reputation along with the strong technology drive sets a strong basis for
Singapore to emerge as the global leader in driving solutions for Industry, Society andGovernment especially in the evolving energy sector.”
Snehashish Chatterjee,
Vice President, Southeast Asia, Oiltanking
9. Pacific International Lines“PIL is proud to participate in this unique opportunity to support Singapore’s ambition to
construct digitalised and resilient supply chain and trading solutions securing efficiencies andcommunity interests. Many good initiatives to build digital solutions amongst business andregulatory parties take place in countries and ports around the world. SGTraDex’s vision andstrategy are well founded. With the broad span of committed stakeholders coming together,
Singapore has a unique position and opportunity to develop a transparent and neutral
infrastructure, which can shape our interactions and become a role model in the future.”
Lars Kastrup,
Co-President and Executive Director, Pacific International Lines
10. Standard Chartered Bank
“We are very pleased to contribute our global trade and innovation expertise to the developmentof SGTraDex. The future of supply chain sustainability is a digital one - built on trusted, secureand easy-to-use data-sharing infrastructure that’s accessible to all industry players. Standard
Chartered is committed to supporting Singapore’s goal of building a trusted international digital
supply chain ecosystem, and we look forward to contributing the experience from our unique
network to help accelerate Singapore’s digital journey.”
Simon Cooper,Chief Executive, Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking andChief Executive, Europe & Americas, Standard Chartered11. UOB“Geopolitical issues and the pandemic have seen a reshaping of what is fundamental to Asia’sgrowth – international trade. This has led to the regionalisation and reconfiguration of trade flowsand supply chains, accelerating the role of technology in increasing supply chain resilience andinfrastructure interoperability.
SGTraDex, a public-private partnership, will enhance Singapore’s ability to support global supply
chains, thereby bolstering the country’s role as a key trade and financial hub. Through SGTraDex,
all parties in the ecosystem will have a common and trusted data infrastructure for end-to-end
tracking of trade and financial flows. The increased visibility of trade activities will enable financial
institutions to provide stronger support for their customers’ cross-border needs. This is pertinentfor UOB as we continue to open doors for businesses across Asia.”
Wee Ee Cheong,Deputy Chairman and CEO, UOB