UAE-Singapore Bilateral Relations
The United Arab Emirates and Singapore share a longstanding and multifaceted relationship built on economic cooperation, strategic collaboration and shared interests in facilitating global trade flows and sustainable development. Diplomatic relations were formally established in 1985, and since then, both countries have strengthened ties across various sectors.
High-level engagements between both governments underscore the depth of bilateral relations. Leaders and senior officials regularly meet to advance cooperation on mutual priorities. In addition to state visits, interactions take place at multilateral forums such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum, first held on March 2008, is an annual platform which underscores the substantive bilateral economic relationship between the UAE and Singapore. The Joint Forum facilitates the development of significant partnerships between public and private entities from the UAE and Singapore across a range of sectors.
Another platform is the Singapore-UAE Joint Committee, which is held biennially and helmed by the foreign ministers of both countries. At the inaugural meeting of the Singapore-UAE Joint Committee, held on October 2014, an MoU was signed to establish bilateral consultations between the foreign ministries of the UAE and Singapore, which in turn will allow for regular exchanges on issues of common concern.
In February 2019, the two governments signed the Singapore-UAE Comprehensive Partnership, a framework aimed at deepening existing areas of cooperation and exploring new areas of mutual benefit. The first formalised framework of its kind between Singapore and a Middle Eastern nation, the Singapore-UAE Comprehensive Partnership aims to deepen collaboration in diverse areas, including trade, investment, defence, security and sustainable development, while paving the way for new avenues of cooperation.
Economic Relations: Trade and Investment
Economic ties between the UAE and Singapore are substantial, sustained by strong trade flows and investment linkages. The UAE is Singapore’s largest trading partner and investment destination in the Middle East and North Africa region and was Singapore’s fourteenth largest trading partner in 2023.
UAE-Singapore bilateral merchandise trade amounted to SGD24.1 billion in 2024, up from SGD23.7 billion in 2023. Non-oil trade accounts for more than one-third of bilateral trade. The stock of Singapore’s investments into the UAE reached SGD3.9 billion in 2022 (up from SGD2.7 billion in 2021), focusing on the oil and gas, information technology, infrastructure and real estate sectors.
Singaporean companies have a significant presence in the UAE, with over 600 Singapore firms operating across various sectors, according to Enterprise Singapore. Singapore companies in the UAE are active in key areas such as fintech, healthcare, infrastructure and education.
The UAE is a key investor in Singapore, with a growing presence across key sectors such as renewable energy, electronics, logistics and technology. Major UAE companies like DP World, Masdar and Space42 have a presence in Singapore and contribute significantly to UAE-Singapore economic collaboration.
Economic Relations: Sustainability
The UAE and Singapore are advancing their partnership in renewable energy and carbon markets. During Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official visit to the UAE in October 2023, the UAE and Singapore signed a Green Economy Framework Agreement, under which both countries will work on projects in green transport, low-carbon energy and carbon markets. At the same time, both countries also agreed to deepen their collaboration on environmental protection and climate change by pledging to work jointly on food and water security. The UAE and Singapore also agreed to collaborate on setting standards in the areas of hydrogen fuel and carbon capture and storage.
Economic Relations: Financial Services
Financial cooperation is a key pillar of UAE-Singapore relations. Both countries serve as leading financial hubs in their respective regions and collaborate extensively in banking, fintech, and capital markets. The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Central Bank of the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 to pave the way for information sharing and to strengthen the supervision of cross-border operations of financial institutions under their purview. First Abu Dhabi Bank and Emirates NBD maintain a presence in Singapore. These banks support UAE-based companies operating in Asia while also facilitating trade and investment flows between the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
Economic Relations: Advanced Technology
The UAE and Singapore are working together in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital economy initiatives. During the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to Singapore on October 2024, an MOU was signed involving AI Singapore, the Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement, Advanced Technology Research Council, and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. This agreement aims to enhance AI capacity development and skills implementation in both Abu Dhabi and Singapore. These collaborative efforts support business expansion and drive innovation in emerging sectors, which reinforce both nations’ status as technology hubs in their respective regions.
Economic Relations: Security
Security cooperation between the UAE and Singapore is anchored in intelligence sharing and security collaboration. The UAE and Singapore work together to combat transnational threats, including cybercrime and illicit financial activities. Their partnership in these areas contributes to broader global efforts in safeguarding critical infrastructure and enhancing the resilience of financial and digital networks.
Economic Relations: People-to-People Ties
Beyond government and business cooperation, people-to-people ties between the UAE and Singapore continue to strengthen. The UAE hosts the largest concentration of Singaporeans in the Middle East, with about 3,000 Singaporeans living and working in the country. The two countries have established educational exchange programs and cultural initiatives that foster greater understanding and engagement between their populations.
The United Arab Emirates and Singapore maintain strong air connectivity through frequent direct flights, with Emirates Airline operating 28 flights per week between Dubai and Singapore, and Etihad Airways operating daily direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Singapore. Singapore Airlines also operates a daily service between Singapore and Dubai.
With a shared commitment to economic growth, technological advancement, and sustainable development, the UAE and Singapore continue to build on their strong foundation of cooperation, setting the stage for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.
