Forum examined trade resilience, digitalisation, market diversification and emerging global economic challenges.
The Future of Trade Forum 2026 brought together more than 600 business leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss changes in the global trade environment and how businesses could remain competitive and connected. The forum also saw the launch of Trade AI Advisor (TAIA), a generative AI-powered trade advisory platform developed to support Singapore businesses.
The official launch of TAIA was attended by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations. The platform is now available to Singapore businesses and combines trade intelligence, AI assistance and expert human advisory from the Centre for the Future of Trade and Investment in an end-to-end service.
The forum also featured the signing of new memoranda of understanding (MOUs) by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the ICC Academy and the Centre for Trade Excellence. The agreements focused on trade capability building, digital transformation and paperless trade.
Discussions at the forum examined the outlook for global trade and Singapore’s role in the evolving international trading system. SBF Chairman Mark Lee, Johanna Hill, Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and John W.H. Denton AO, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, discussed developments affecting global trade and the changing environment for businesses.
Ms Fu also took part in a fireside chat on Singapore’s position as a destination for business and investment.
Other sessions examined the effects of geopolitical rivalry, reshoring and regionalisation on global trade and investment flows. Speakers discussed approaches including cross-border cooperation and diversification as businesses respond to changes in international markets.
The forum also considered the digitalisation of trade through paperless processes, electronic documentation and interoperable cross-border payments, while highlighting interoperability and cybersecurity considerations.
Mr Teo Chee Hean, Chairman of Temasek Holdings, shared perspectives on trade resilience, diversity and ASEAN’s role in maintaining a trusted and connected regional environment.
Breakout sessions covered supply-chain decarbonisation, ESG requirements, free trade agreements, compliance risks and non-trade regulations, with discussions focused on how businesses could respond to changing market and regulatory conditions.
Source: Singapore Business Federation
