SINGAPORE — Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, Singapore and Poland are intensifying efforts to forge deeper bilateral ties, following Polish President Andrzej Duda’s landmark state visit to the Republic from June 11 to 13 — the first by a Polish head of state in over two decades.
In a joint statement on June 13, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Duda highlighted the strong momentum in Singapore–Poland relations, underpinned by increasing trade, investment, and people-to-people connections. “Poland is a key partner for Singapore in Central and Eastern Europe,” said PM Wong. “But there remains tremendous potential for us to do more together.”
Strong Economic Foundation, Growing Ambitions
At a Singapore–Poland Business Forum held at Shangri-La Singapore, President Duda emphasized the political will behind his visit: “The world is undergoing a major reconfiguration in global trade. In this era of diversification, resilience and trust, our partnership with Singapore has strategic value.”
Duda identified advanced manufacturing, food processing, logistics and digital trade as key pillars for future collaboration. He also proposed expanding cooperation in cybersecurity, e-commerce, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), calling for the creation of “digital bridges” between the two nations.
Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu echoed this sentiment, urging like-minded countries to strengthen partnerships. “In today’s volatile environment, collaboration is not optional — it’s essential for sustainable economic growth,” she said.
Trade Growth and Investment Confidence
Since the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement came into effect in 2019, bilateral trade in goods between Poland and Singapore has surged by 50%, reaching nearly S$1.7 billion in 2024. Services trade also grew by 50%, hitting S$700 million in 2023.
Fu cited the European Union–Singapore Digital Trade Agreement, signed in May 2025, as a milestone that will simplify online transactions and boost digital commerce across borders. She also encouraged swift ratification of the EU–Singapore Investment Protection Agreement by the Polish government to enhance investor confidence.
“There are already 170 Polish firms in Singapore, including leading tech players like Lingaro, CShark and RTB House,” said Fu. “We look forward to welcoming more, especially those seeking regional growth via our digital and logistics infrastructure.”
Sectoral Opportunities: From Poultry to Payment Platforms
The Singapore Food Agency’s recent approval of Poland as a frozen poultry source opens new trade avenues in food security. Likewise, Poland’s vibrant fintech and e-commerce ecosystems are seen as ripe for partnerships with Singaporean firms offering integrated payments, analytics and AI-driven solutions.
“Our countries complement each other — Poland brings strength in food and manufacturing, while Singapore offers digital expertise and regional reach,” Fu noted.
Singapore to be a “reliable and resilient partner”
PM Wong affirmed that despite a more complex global backdrop, Singapore stands ready to be a “reliable and resilient partner” for Polish and international businesses. “This visit reaffirms the enduring value of trusted partnerships grounded in shared values and mutual respect,” he said.
The high-level dialogue between the two nations sets the stage for closer economic integration and digital collaboration, positioning Singapore and Poland as agile players in the evolving global order. (zai) Photo: MDDI