How to Use Viagra Soft Flavoured

Viagra Soft Flavoured tablets offer a novel approach to erectile dysfunction management. Chewable formulations provide ease of use. Absorption begins within the oral cavity. This optimizes the onset of therapeutic action. Administer the tablet approximately 15 minutes prior to sexual activity. The 50 mg and 100 mg doses cater to varying requirements. An empty stomach enhances absorption, though food does not impede effectiveness.

Follow the prescriber’s instructions stringently. Avoid multiple doses in 24 hours. This mitigates the risk of adverse events. Chewable Viagra Soft Flavoured enhances discretion, allowing consumption without water.

FDA-Approved Indications

Viagra Soft Flavoured tablets contain sildenafil, indicated for erectile dysfunction. The FDA endorses its use following rigorous trials. The formulation aids those experiencing difficulties in achieving satisfactory erections. Benefits extend to improved sexual health and relationships.

Sildenafil’s mechanism involves the inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 5. This enzyme regulation enhances nitric oxide’s action in penile tissues, promoting vasodilation and blood flow. The formulation’s rapid absorption sets it apart from traditional tablets.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Viagra Soft Flavoured is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Sildenafil is not for use in women. The safety profile in these populations remains unestablished. Lactating individuals should exercise caution. Consultation with healthcare providers is paramount. Off-label use carries potential risks that must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Signs and Symptoms of Overdose

An overdose of Viagra Soft Flavoured can result in adverse effects. Common symptoms include severe dizziness, fainting, or prolonged erections exceeding four hours, known as priapism. Visual disturbances or loss of hearing may occur. Immediate medical attention is vital in such scenarios.

Emergency care can mitigate complications. Store the product securely, away from children, to prevent accidental ingestion. Educate on the potential risks associated with unsupervised consumption.

Availability of Non-Prescription Variants

Viagra Soft Flavoured is a prescription medication. Unauthorized sources may offer non-prescription alternatives. These pose significant risks, including counterfeit products. Authenticity and safety cannot be guaranteed outside regulated channels.

Consult licensed healthcare professionals for access. Reliable pharmaceutical services ensure both safety and efficacy. Adherence to prescribed guidelines ensures optimal outcomes and minimizes potential hazards.

Source:

The Wholesale Trade Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 was unveiled by Minister for Trade and Industry Mr. Gan Kim Yong at the inauguration of Fish International Sourcing House’s (FISH) new processing facility. In order to cement Singapore’s status as a major international trade hub, the Wholesale Trade ITM 2025 lays out growth strategies for the industry.

The Wholesale Trade ITM 2025 initiative, led by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), aims to boost Singaporean traders’ global competitiveness while also anchoring and expanding the presence of foreign traders in Singapore. It aims to broaden the range of traded products, diversify the overseas presence of enterprises, and enhance their capabilities. By 2025, the ITM plans to uplift 12,000 local workers in blue-collar jobs and create more than 10,500 new PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) roles.

Click to read the full release.

#singaporetrade

According to the press release by the Ministry of Trade and Investemnt based on advance estimation, the Singapore economy grew by 2.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis in the fourth quarter of 2022, moderating from the 4.2 per cent growth in the previous quarter. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally-adjusted basis, the economy expanded by 0.2 per cent, extending the 1.1 per cent expansion in the third quarter. For the whole of 2022, the economy grew by 3.8 per cent, slower than the 7.6 per cent growth in 2021.

Sectoral Performance

The manufacturing sector contracted by 3.0 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2022, a reversal from the 1.4 per cent growth in the previous quarter. This came on the back of output contractions in the electronics, chemicals and biomedical manufacturing clusters, which outweighed output expansions in the precision engineering, transport engineering and general manufacturing clusters. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally-adjusted basis, the manufacturing sector expanded by 1.8 per cent in the fourth quarter, a turnaround from the 3.9 per cent contraction in the preceding quarter.

The construction sector grew by 10.4 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter, accelerating from the 7.8 per cent growth in the previous quarter, as both public and private sector construction output continued to recover. However, in absolute terms, the value-added of the construction sector remained 19.3 per cent below its pre-pandemic (i.e., fourth quarter of 2019) level. On a quarteron-quarter seasonally-adjusted basis, the sector expanded by 0.4 per cent in the fourth quarter, extending the 3.8 per cent expansion in the third quarter.

Among the services sectors, the wholesale & retail trade and transportation & storage sectors collectively grew by 2.3 per cent year- n-year in the fourth quarter, slower than the 5.7 per cent growth in the previous quarter. All sectors within the group recorded expansions during the quarter. Within the wholesale & retail trade sector, both wholesale trade and retail trade activities expanded. Meanwhile, growth in the transportation & storage sector was largely supported by the air transport segment, which saw robust growth on the back of a strong recovery in air passengers handled. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally-adjusted basis, the sectors in the group shrank by 2.2 per cent in the fourth quarter, a reversal from the 3.7 per cent expansion in the preceding quarter.

The group of sectors comprising the information & communications, finance & insurance and professional services sectors grew by 2.9 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter, extending the 3.6 per cent growth in the previous quarter. All sectors within the group expanded during the quarter. Growth in the information & communications sector was supported by continued strong demand for IT and digital solutions, while that in the professional services sector was mainly driven by the architectural & engineering, technical testing & analysis segment. As for the finance & insurance sector, growth was primarily supported by activities auxiliary to financial services, which included payment processing activities. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally-adjusted basis, the sectors in the group collectively posted growth of 1.8 per cent in the fourth quarter, faster than the 0.8 per cent growth recorded in the third quarter

The remaining group of services sectors (i.e., accommodation & food services, real estate, administrative & support services and other services sectors) grew by 8.2 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter, extending the 9.3 per cent growth in the previous quarter. All sectors within the group posted expansions during the quarter as activities continued to recover with the lifting of domestic and border restrictions since April 2022. For example, the accommodation sector expanded for the first time since the second quarter of 2021 on account of a strong recovery in international visitor arrivals. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally- djusted basis, the sectors in the group grew by 1.5 per cent in the fourth quarter, easing from the 1.9 per cent expansion in the previous quarter.

The preliminary GDP estimated for the fourth quarter and whole of 2022, including performance by sectors, sources of growth, inflation, employment, and productivity, will be released in the Economic Survey of Singapore in February 2023.

SOURCE:

#singaporeaneconomy

Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in the union, with over 220 million people. It is aiming to become a USD 1trillion economy in sync with the central government’s target to build a USD 5trillion national economy in the coming years.

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Jal Shakti and Flood Control Swatantra Dev Singh while on a promotional tour for foreign investments said: “To achieve such targets, the UP government needs to have around USD 50 billion grounded as early as possible.” Singh, who led one of the eight delegations sent to over 16 countries by the UP government to promote the UP Global Investors Summit (UPGIS), shared that there was a very encouraging response from his roadshows in Singapore and Sydney.

Representatives of the UP Government also met the representatives of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) during the roadshow in Singapore. The investors from Singapore were assured of providing land and other facilities.

The SICCI office welcomed the delegation from the Uttar Pradesh Government. The team was led by Mr. Swatantra Dev Singh, Minister of Jal Shakti, Mr. Dhirendra Pal Singh, Chief Minister’s education advisor and many other officials from the UP State Government. In attendance were also the Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, HE P. Kumaran, officials from FICCI, Ernst & Young, the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry, EnterpriseSG, and SICCI’s Board of Directors.

In his welcome note SICCI Chairman, Mr Neil Parekh, said companies are rushing to re-capture global markets after a two-year lull. He discussed the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Global Investor Summit 2023 as an opportune moment to capitalize on the opportunities in the Indian state for Singapore businesses to explore and sign deals with the UP counterparts. Several SICCI members have registered to take part in the global summit.

In his remarks, High Commissioner P Kumaran spoke about the State of Uttar Pradesh and how it has progressed over the years and continues to grow. HE highlighted that with a little over 200 million residents and one of the largest GDPs of the country in recent years the state had established many IT parks for Singaporean IT firms to consider investing in. Other investment sectors include Defence, Aerospace, and Agriculture he shared.

While looking to gain Singapore’s support for reaching a target of at least USD 50 billion investment commitments, the UP government signed a MoU with the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) during the Singapore leg of the series of roadshows. The MOU was signed in the presence of Minister Swatantra Dev Singh and India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, HE Mr. Kumaran Periasamy, on the 16 December 2022. Signatories to the MOU were Mr. Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Mr. Neil Parekh, Chairman of SICCI.

Addressing delegates after the MOU signing, Mr Parekh said that  today’s UP, under the strong leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, will become a leader in attracting new investments to develop business in the state. “This roadshow has given the chance for our businesses to get up close with their counterparts from UP to find out more about the areas where they can consider allocating their investment dollar. Today’s roadshow is just the start of a series of business, cultural and people to people ties that will grow and blossom between Singapore and the UP state government,” said Mr. Parekh.

The wide-ranging MOU covers several areas of cooperation. Among them, promoting joint marketing activities for cross border trade services started by the signatories and promote activities for the digitalization of trade services. According to Minister Singh, who also held several meetings with the Singapore government and trade officials, SICCI will serve as a bridge between investment companies in Singapore and the UP government. It will also act as a knowledge partner, provide avenues for growth, and define the trajectory for investors.

While speaking of the projects worth Rs 380,000 crore, raised from the 2018 UP Investors Summit, which are in various phases of implementation, he added that another USD 5billion is expected from UPGIS, for which Singapore is a partner country.

Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Noida-Greater Noida CEO Ritu Maheshwari, Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) CEO Arun Vir Singh, are on a tour of many countries including Australia, Singapore to the bring in foreign investors to up the ante for UP’s agenda to become a USD 1trillion economy.

#indiasingaporeties

Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) has launched the Singapore Global Executive Programme (SGEP), which is targeted at helping homegrown companies with global presence to ramp up talent development in line with their growth ambitions. Participating companies will work with EnterpriseSG’s partners to co-design and implement a customised human capital roadmap, to attract and groom local talent that will be critical in advancing their business growth plans.

First announced at Budget 2022, the new programme is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the core capabilities of high-potential Singapore companies and support their growth under the Enterprise 2030 strategy. Up to 20 Singapore companies will be onboarded to SGEP over the next three years. This was shared by Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng, who was the Guest of Honour at the launch event for SGEP earlier today.

The first two batches of companies to participate in SGEP comprise Castlery, Commonwealth Capital, Sing Fuels (Batch 1) and AEM, Durapower and Rigel (Batch 2). Besides having a strong track record, these companies also have a clear long-term business growth strategy and are committed to invest in talent across diverse areas – such as data and analytics, digital transformation, business development and product research – to support their global expansion plans. More companies will be onboarded to SGEP progressively in the second half of 2023

Said Mr Png Cheong Boon, EnterpriseSG’s Chief Executive Officer, “Companies that want to scale up into global enterprises need to focus on grooming talent and develop deep leadership bench. SGEP aims to strengthen Singapore enterprises’ talent development capabilities, help them attract young talent, and groom them into globalready leaders.”

SGEP companies will receive comprehensive training and consultancy support to help them intensify their talent development efforts. They will work with experienced industry partners such as Heidrick & Struggles (H&S), LinkedIn, the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) and Procter & Gamble (P&G) to expand their know-how in employer branding, talent assessment and analytics, as well as talent acquisition and development, so that they can develop a human capital roadmap tailored for their business growth plans. With the support of EnterpriseSG, the companies will also strengthen their in-house human resource team, with a dedicated talent manager to oversee the human capital roadmap.

Young local talent looking to join SGEP companies can look forward to structured career progression pathways, which will prepare them for potential global leadership positions. They can expect to build their industry expertise through job rotations across core business functions, receive one-on-one mentorship from company leaders, and go on overseas work attachments to gain global business insights. This, in turn, will enable SGEP companies to build a skilled leadership pipeline for their global expansion.

Local companies with a strong track record of growth, high commitment to nurture young talent and the ambition to scale globally, can find out more about SGEP at www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/SGEProgramme. Fresh and recent graduates with an entrepreneurial spirit and keen to join a local company on its internationalisation journey can visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/SGEP for more information.

Source : Enterprise Singapore

Photo Credit : Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore

The M-SEP scheme was first announced by Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng, in his MOM Committee of Supply 2022 speech on 4 March 2022. The scheme complements the changes that MOM is making to Singapore’s work pass framework, by supporting the growth of businesses that contribute to Singapore’s strategic economic priorities through ambitious investment, innovation, or internationalisation activities.

Designed to support firms that are needle-movers for Singapore’s economic priorities and competitiveness, M-SEP will help these firms seize opportunities to grow in Singapore successfully, while securing jobs and training opportunities for Singaporeans in the process.

The scheme gives qualifying firms the flexibility to temporarily hire S Pass and Work Permit holders above the prevailing Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) and S Pass sub-DRC. To qualify, firms must also commit to employ and/or train locals. Eligible firms can obtain additional S Pass and Work Permit quotas of up to 5% above their base workforce headcount, subject to a cap of 50 workers per firm. Such additional flexibilities accorded under the M-SEP scheme will last for 2 years upon enrolment, and may be renewed thereafter, subject to meeting renewal conditions.

To qualify for the scheme, firms must satisfy both of the following conditions:
a. Condition 1 – Participate in programmes or activities in line with one of the following key economic priorities:

a. Investments which support Singapore’s hub strategy
b. Innovation or Research & Development (R&D)
c. Internationalisation

b. Condition 2 – Commit to hiring and/or training locals.

To be eligible for M-SEP renewal, firms will also have to show that they have met both commitments by the end of the M-SEP support period. Firms will also have to maintain their local workforce share during this period. Those that fail to do so will be suspended from M-SEP for 2 years.

The M-SEP scheme signals Singapore’s commitment to remain open and connected, and the Government’s continued support for our businesses to amplify economic growth and the creation of more good jobs for Singaporeans. Applications are now open. More details can be found on MOM’s website.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore

Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng co-chaired the 16 th Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Ministerial Meeting (CMM) with Vietnam’s Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi

Held in Singapore, the meeting reviewed the good progress across 9 areas of economic cooperation namely: (i) investment; (ii) digital economy; (iii) finance; (iv) trade and services; (v) education and training; (vi) transportation; (vii) innovation; (viii) energy; and (ix) sustainability. Both sides discussed closer partnership in trade and investments, and potential opportunities in emerging areas such as innovation, renewable energy, carbon credits and digital economy collaboration.

Both Ministers witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Singapore-Vietnam Innovation Workgroup between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the National Innovation Centre (NIC)1 under Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment. The MoU aims to strengthen linkages between both countries’ innovation ecosystems through partnership between government entities, Institutes of Higher Learning and private sector companies on both sides.

Minister Tan said, “Singapore and Vietnam share robust and longstanding economic ties. I am glad that we are able to convene the 16th CMM physically in Singapore since our borders re-opened. Apart from affirming our commitment to deepen cooperation in existing areas, we have also broadened our cooperation to include new areas like innovation, energy and sustainability, where there is strong growth potential in Southeast Asia. I look forward to closer partnership between Singapore and Vietnam, as our countries mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations and 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership next year.”

Singapore and Vietnam share strong bilateral economic ties, with bilateral trade growing steadily over the past decade, reaching S$26.9 billion in 2021. As of May 2022, Singapore is the second-largest cumulative investor into Vietnam, with investments totalling S$94.46 billion (US$68.68 billion). In 2021, Singapore was the largest source of foreign investment into Vietnam that year, with investments of nearly S$15 billion (US$10.7 billion). In October 2022, Singapore and Vietnam signed two MoUs to collaborate on energy and carbon credits on the sidelines of President Halimah Yacob’s State Visit to Vietnam.

Established in 2006 under the Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Framework Agreement, the CMM is a cornerstone of bilateral economic relations between Singapore and Vietnam, strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating trade and investment flows between both countries. The 16 th CMM was attended by officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Energy Market Authority, Enterprise Singapore, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Monetary Authority of Singapore, National Climate Change Secretariat, Singapore Food Agency, and Singapore Tourism Board.

MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

THIS year has been particularly memorable for ������’s tourism industry. As of COVID-19, the nation has been receiving visitors from abroad. The Tourism Authority of ������ (TAT) Newsroom reports that 7,349,843 tourists entered ������ overall between the 1st January and 26 October 2022.

������ has also reclaimed its position as a top tourist destination, as well as the title of “Best Leisure City in Asia-Pacific,” as voted on by readers of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific this year.

������ has also introduced a new 10-year longterm resident visa in an effort to attract more visitors. The visa comes with a number of benefits, including the ability to extend the visa, fast track airport service, multiple re-entry permission, and the ability to work within the country. Moreover, ������ strives to provide responsible and sustainable tourism, highlighting the country’s natural, culinary, and cultural strengths to create experiences that are valuable to tourists as well as to the environment.

As part of the initiative, the Tourism Authority of ������ (TAT) invited tourists to take part in the “Go Green Active” conservation diving activity on Phuket’s famous Patong Beach from November 18–20, 2022. The goal of the event was to break the previous Guinness World Record for the greatest number of scuba divers to collect trash from the ocean, increase public awareness of environmental protection, and support ������’s transition to more environmentally friendly tourism.

Additionally, the Thai government organized a number of events to promote tourism and honor Thai culture. A first-of-its kind lighting festival, “Vijit Chao Phraya,” opened on Sunday, November 27, bringing illumination, light shows, and projection mapping displays to six landmarks along the Chao Phraya River. Loy Krathong, one of ������’s most popular and visually stunning annual festival, was also celebrated on November 8, with festivities taking place throughout the kingdom. The three-day festival included Thai cultural activities that showcased the country’s distinctive customs and way of life, such as cooking traditional Royal Thai cuisine, making floral garlands, and floating krathongs on the Chao Phraya River.

Mobile NFTS & App
The Tourism Authority of ������ (TAT) has also unveiled the “Amazing ������ NFTs (NonFungible Tokens)” – a new tourism initiative, which provides visitors with digital art NFTs via the YAKS application (for Android and iOS phones) at five landmarks. After collecting at least three items by visiting three locations, visitors can unlock all privileges for discounted air fares, hotels, food and drink prices, and other travel offers.

MICE Showcase Events
������ also made a splash this year when ������ Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) welcomed over 10,000 delegates from all over India to the “Date with Destiny – Aarambh” conference in Bangkok from 14th – 17th November 2022. It showed the world the country’s capacity to host significant business events and strengthened the country’s reputation as a preferred travel destination. Travel bloggers, content producers, and influencers from all over the world attended the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Asia 2022 from 15 – 18 November 2022 in Phuket and its nearby provinces. The conference’s theme is “Diversity of the South: Phuket and Beyond,” and served a four-day programme packed with workshops, keynote speeches, breakout sessions, speed networking, and evening parties in well-known tourist destinations such as Krabi, Phang-nga, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai.

THAILAND, with its population of around 66 million (of which 30 per cent are between the ages of 5-24 years) is the second largest economy in ASEAN. Its strategic location in the center of ASEAN means it has access to the bloc’s 600 million consumers within a 3,000 km radius, bringing vast opportunities for cross-border trade and investment.

������ is one of the three top export bases in ASEAN for motor vehicles, parts and accessories, agricultural products and chemical products, among others. Yet, despite its strong manufacturing base, the country presents ample opportunities for foreign investors, particularly in sectors that engage in higher-value industries.

������’s Board of Investment (BOI) announced in February the combined value of foreign and local investment applications in 2021 totaled 634 billion Baht (US$19.4 billion) an increase of 59 per cent over the previous year.

An ASEAN BRIEFING report in September 2022, published by Dezan Shira & Associates, written by Ayman Falak Medina, highlighted several of the promising sectors that might appeal to investors.

Value-Added Manufacturing Over the last 50 years, ������ has built up a robust manufacturing sector. It is now keen to attract investment for mid / high-tech manufacturing especially as regional competitors such as Viet Nam and Cambodia become new centers for low-cost production in the region.

Electric Vehicles The Thai government wants the country to evolve into a base for electric vehicles (EV) production. Luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz chose ������ as its first site in Southeast Asia to make its electric EQS model along with Toyota and Chinese car maker Great Wall Motor who have all signed up for the government’s incentive programme to promote the production of EVs in ������. The incentives include 3 to 11 years tax holidays as well as investment incentives for EV infrastructure. The government has also introduced exemptions for import duty and excise tax for a wide range of EV models.

Medical Devices & Tourism ������’s healthcare industry is a priority sector as the government wants to position the country as a medical hub in the region, in particular for medical tourism. ������’s medical devices industry was worth approximately US$6 billion where over 80 per cent of local production is exported.

������ earned US$1.8 billion from over four million medical tourists in 2019. This amounts to 3 per cent of the GDP. Medical treatment costs can be lower by up to 30 per cent compared to the West and quality of healthcare is comparable to leading hospitals worldwide. The government has targeted revenue growth from this industry at 5 per cent for 2022.

Digital Economy ������’s digital businesses are among the fastest growing in ASEAN and have a gross merchandise value (GMW) of US$30 billion in 2021 according to a report compiled by Google, Temasek and Bain & Co. By 2025, the digital sector is expected to have a GMW of US457 billion. E-commerce continues to be the main growth driver with a GMW of US$21 billion in 2021 and is expected to rise to US$35 billion by 2025.

This is also expected to lead to a heightened demand for skilled labour as the digital economy is expected to account for 30 per cent of the nation’s GDP in 2030. According to analysts ONDE and Time Consulting, by 2030 the total demand for digital talent in ������ will exceed one million and there will be a 40,000 person gap in the digital workforce supply with the private sector tepping in now to fill the gap.

According to consultancy firm AlphaBeta, ������’s digital transformation can unlock up to US$65 billion worth of economic value per year by 2030. Foreign companies can provide solutions in the form of Cloud computing, big data, the Internet of Things and data analytics for Thai industries.

High-end Tourism The tourism industry accounted for 18 – 20 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2019 when almost 40 million international tourists visited the Kingdom and generated approximately US$64 billion in revenue. The government hopes to attract up to 10 million foreign tourists in 2022. In response to the slowdown caused by the pandemic, the Thai government is encouraging industry players to stop cheapening their goods and services and aim to turn the country into a premium travel destination by attracting higher value tourists such as the following:
* Wealthy global citizens
* Pensioners
* Work from ������ professionals (foreigners who work remotely from ������)
* Highly skilled professionals

Smart Farming & Precision Agriculture ������ is endowed with fertile soil and favourable weather cycles, possessing the right attributes to be a global agricultural powerhouse. At present, agriculture accounts for 6 percent of the country’s GDP but employs some one-third of the country’s workforce. ������ is a leading global exporter of canned pineapples, frozen shrimp, tapioca products, canned tuna and rubber. The agriculture and forestry sector contributed approximately US$37.9 billion to the GDP in 2021.

The sector faces some challenges: it is highly fragmented and dominated by smallholders who own just under one hectare of farmland, affecting productivity. Two-thirds of farms still grow one crop per year despite the irrigation system in the central region supporting all-year round agriculture. So ������ is eager to transform its agriculture sector with the use of new technology e.g. by employing smart technology to facilitate industrial operations and increase production yields as well as precision planting in soil whose properties match the genetics of the seed; technology that matches soil properties to the ideal fertilizer; processing systems to customise production and harvest plans.

THAILAND and Singapore recently signed a series of agreements on a variety of economic issues, strengthening trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Ministers from ������ and Singapore oversaw the agreements at the sixth Singapore-������ Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) ministerial meeting held in Bangkok in October 2022. The agreements touch on a number of issues, including trade and intellectual property, and stand to further expand the increasingly close economic relationship between ������ and Singapore.

The STEER ministerial meetings signed or oversaw the signing of one memorandum of cooperation (MoC) and four memoranda of understanding (MoU). The agreements are either between government agencies, industry associations, or private companies. They are summarized below.

Intellectual property The Intellectual Property Department of ������ and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore signed an MoC and the Implementation Workplan 2022–2024 to deepen bilateral cooperation on intellectual property. As part of the cooperation, the two sides will establish a pilot bilateral Collaborative Search and Examination (S&E) program to help entrepreneurs and innovators in ������ and Singapore obtain faster intellectual property protection.

Meat trade The Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association (TBA) and the Meat Traders Association of Singapore (MTA) signed an MoU on the trade of poultry. Namely, the two entities agreed to cooperate on chilled and frozen poultry meat and other processed products and to facilitate trade and flexible import regulations.

Additionally, the Swine Producers and Processors for Exporting Association of ������ (SPEA) and the MTA signed an MoU on the trade of pork. This agreement promotes cooperation on chilled and frozen pork, as well as expanding sourcing networks and improving product quality.

Sustainability ������’s Kaset Thai International Sugar Corporation (KTIS) and Singapore’s Evercomm and Bureau Veritas (BV) signed an MoU on tracking initiatives related to environmental disclosure, compliance reporting, net zero roadmap generation, and verification of carbon credits.

Electric motorbikes ������’s PTT Oil and Retail (PTTOR) and Singapore’s SLEEK EV signed an MoU on exploring the two-wheelers electric vehicle and motorcycle business, as well as related opportunities.

Tourism The ministers agreed to establish a Cruise Tourism Task Force, with a view to developing a roadmap on bilateral initiatives to drive cruise tourism between Singapore and ������. The two sides are aiming to finalize the composition of the task force team by December 2022. ������’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) and the Singapore Tourism Board will collaborate to create the Terms of Reference of the task force.

Deepening economic ties The new agreements signed by ������ and Singapore represent ongoing bilateral cooperation in a number of fields, from trade to regulation. In addition to the agreements summarized above, the ministers agreed to deepen their bilateral engagement in several other areas. These include trade and investment facilitation, air transport and tourism cooperation, digital economy, innovation, and sustainability.

The agreements are just the latest in a series of deals between ������ and Singapore. In June 2022, the two countries signed an MoU to cooperate on the digital economy. This MoU stressed collaboration in eight areas; namely:

* Digital transformation
* E-commerce
* Fighting fake news
* Big data and cloud services
* Personal data protection
* Cyber-security

������ and Singapore had previously signed an MoU on the digital economy in July 2021. This MoU emphasized cooperation in enhancing digital connectivity, promoting cross-border data flows, developing tech talent and manpower, cooperating on cybersecurity, and exploring collaborations in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G internet.

Complementary relationship ������ and Singapore have highly complementary economies, which explains the momentum in their bilateral relations. Singapore is Southeast Asia’s premier financial centre and a popular base for foreign investors to station their regional headquarters. ������, meanwhile, is the second largest economy in ASEAN and a key export manufacturing country.

In 2020, Singapore was the largest foreign investor in ������, investing US$1.8 billion. In total, Singapore had US$24.9 billion in direct investment stock in ������ at the end of 2020, concentrated in financial and insurance services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and real estate.

In 2021, ������ and Singapore had S$34.1 billion (US$24.8 billion) in bilateral trade, representing a 3.6 per cent year-on-year increase. Through the first half of 2022, bilateral trade reached S$21.6 billion (US$15.7 billion) – an increase of 31.9 per cent over the same period the previous year.

Key Thai exports to Singapore include gems and jewelry, unwrought gold, refined oil, circuit boards, computer equipment, and components, and other industrial products. Singapore’s exports to ������ are driven by computer equipment and parts, chemicals, refined oil, circuit boards, jewelry, gems, and bullion and gold.

The nature of the agreements indicates the Thai government’s openness to adopting some of Singapore’s best practices to promote investment and efficient regulations. Progressively closer ties between the two countries stand to improve ������’s capacity to upgrade its economy towards innovation and services, while Singapore and foreign investors headquartered there will benefit from access to a strategic hub that links countries in Asia.

Above written by Alexander Chipman Koty for ASEAN BRIEFING From Dezan Shira & Associates
www.aseanbriefing.com