New Zealand and Singapore have brought into force a landmark agreement aimed at protecting the supply of essential goods during periods of global disruption.
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES) came into effect following a ceremony in Auckland on Sunday. The agreement was signed in Singapore on 4 May 2026 in the presence of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Under the agreement, Singapore guarantees New Zealand access to fuel, medicines and chemicals during supply chain disruptions, while New Zealand commits to maintaining food exports to Singapore.
McClay said the agreement would strengthen supply chain resilience at a time of heightened international instability.
“As conflict in the Middle East escalates, AOTES strengthens supply chain resilience and helps ensure the continued flow of essential goods when supply chains come under pressure,” he said.
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong attended the Auckland ceremony marking the agreement’s entry into force.
McClay said the agreement reflected the close economic relationship between the two countries and reinforced their commitment to open, rules-based trade.
“This world-first agreement reinforces New Zealand’s and Singapore’s commitment to open, rules-based trade and supports the resilience of the supply chains that our businesses rely on every day,” he said.
Image credit: Zhu Hongzhi
NZ is a guaranteed source of food but Singapore is not a guaranteed source of Fuel.
This actually sounds good.
So we get poisons and they get food.
Sub-trading (micro-trading) that supports smaller nations is at the forefront now.
While other nations engage in war, NZ engages in trade that benefits those who would be overlooked, left behind on the ‘world stage’, and secures commodities for the nations involved.
This is a trade idea that is part and participle of New Zealand Loyal Party’s trade policy.
This policy ensures food security, petroleum trade until Marsden Point is fully restored and modernised, with drilling permits re-issued under emergency energy declarations.
What other major and minor parties has made such detailed plans for New Zealand’s food, energy and commodity markets with plans on how to implement these?
ZERO!