Singapore to explore how SE Asia, Central Asia can work more closely when it chairs ASEAN in 2027
Two new Kazakhstan agreements could also open opportunities for Singapore companies.
Singapore plans to investigate ways to enhance collaboration between South-East Asia and Central Asia as it assumes the chairmanship of the ASEAN regional grouping in 2027. The region, with its burgeoning economic potential, has become a focal point for Singapore's foreign policy beyond its usual partnerships. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced this aim during his visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, where he was awarded the Order of Dostyk, a Kazakh state honor recognizing contributions to friendship and cooperation.
Lee expressed his intention to "create more opportunities for ASEAN to engage partners beyond our traditional networks" during the ceremony.
This initiative follows Singapore's efforts to broaden its cooperative ties with Kazakhstan, which have recently expanded into digital integration of a major Eurasian trade route and water resource management. In the first agreement, Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and Middle Corridor Multimodal, a Kazakh transport and logistics firm, will work together on the digital integration of the Middle Corridor, a vital trade route connecting China and Europe through Central Asia.
This partnership could streamline trade documentation, multimodal logistics, and supply chain management, potentially benefiting Singapore companies with new opportunities in digital trade and logistics.
In a separate agreement, SCE and Kazakhstan's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation will create a study visit program for Kazakh officials in Singapore. Topics covered will include water sustainability, flood management, water reclamation, and digitalization. As Central Asia faces challenges such as climate change impacts on glaciers and falling water levels in the Caspian Sea, Singapore's expertise in water resource planning could be invaluable. Singapore could also explore opportunities in digital water solutions and smart metering.
The strengthened bilateral relationship between Singapore and Kazakhstan, which dates back to 1993, is further cemented by these new agreements. Singapore is now Kazakhstan's largest trading partner in Central Asia, with bilateral trade totaling $485.6 million in goods and $159 million in services. Direct investment flows have reached $2.1 billion, with 158 Singaporean companies operating in Kazakhstan.
Lee emphasized that both countries aim to integrate within their respective regions while maintaining connections to the wider world, positioning Singapore as a potential gateway for Central Asian businesses seeking to expand.
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