Singapore and Canada will establish an Economic Partnership Framework to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors and advance practical initiatives in areas of mutual interest, including emerging technologies.
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand signed a joint declaration to establish the framework during Balakrishnan’s two-day visit to Ottawa.
The initiatives will also expand cooperation in the public sector, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Vivian Balakrishnan and Anita Anand reviewed the progress of bilateral relations and explored measures to strengthen collaboration in trade and investment, defense and security, and people-to-people exchanges, MFA added.
Under the Economic Partnership Framework, Singapore and Canada will seek to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies through joint research, innovation, and commercialization. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, governance frameworks for emerging technologies, and other critical technology sectors.
The framework also aims to bolster energy security by advancing the energy transition through both clean and conventional energy initiatives. These include cooperation in liquefied natural gas (LNG), critical minerals, resilient energy supply chains, and measures to enhance energy resilience, including civil nuclear collaboration.
The ministers also discussed efforts to strengthen ASEAN-Canada relations, including during Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, which will coincide with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Canada dialogue relations. The two sides will seek to strengthen bilateral investment by improving investment facilitation, modernizing existing arrangements, and expanding economic engagement.
During his visit, Balakrishnan also met Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Their discussions focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Balakrishnan’s Ottawa visit followed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to Singapore in October 2025. During the visit, Carney and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong marked 60 years of diplomatic relations and reaffirmed their commitment to free trade.
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