Singapore and New Zealand Sign World's First Legally Binding Supply Chain Resilience Pact on May 4, 2026

Key facts

• Singapore and New Zealand signed the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies, the world's first legally binding bilateral agreement to maintain the flow of critical goods during crises.
• The pact was signed by Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Energy, Science and Technology Tan See Leng and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay on May 4, 2026.
• Both nations committed to not imposing unnecessary export restrictions on essential goods including food, fuel, healthcare products, and chemical and construction materials.
• The agreement will be incorporated into the existing bilateral free trade agreement between the two countries once domestic procedures on both sides are completed.
• The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) stated that the framework facilitates information sharing and consultation between the two countries before or during supply chain disruptions.