Geneva, October 29(AseanAll)  — On October 30,2024,Singapore and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  to deepen our collaboration through the establishment of a secondment programme. 

The MOU was signed by Singapore Permanent Secretary (Law) and Second Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs) Mr Luke Goh and the WTO Director General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva, Switzerland on October 30. 

The MOU will institutionalise the secondment arrangement of Singapore government officials to the WTO, and represents the WTO’s first such partnership. The programme will provide invaluable opportunities for the participants to develop their professional skills and gain a better understanding of the functioning of the WTO Secretariat. In addition, the secondment will support cross-learning between policy makers from Singapore and WTO Secretariat staff. 

The rules-based multilateral trading system, underpinned by the WTO, is key for global growth and prosperity. As a small and open economy with a high reliance on trade, Singapore is a strong proponent of the WTO. Alongside each secondee from Singapore, the programme will also sponsor the secondment of a national officer from a least developed country (LDC) to the WTO for a 12-month period. This is in line with Singapore’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. 

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore Dr. Beh Swan Gin said, “Singapore and the WTO enjoy a robust working relationship on economic and trade issues. By institutionalising a secondment programme for our officials through this MOU, Singapore will be able to deepen our exchanges with the WTO and contribute to the analysis as well as discussions on critical emerging trade-related issues.” 

Following the signing of the MOU, MTI and the WTO will work towards the secondment taking place in 2025.