Switzerland
Singapore and Switzerland share a longstanding and robust economic partnership, underpinned by strong trade and investment flows, as well as extensive business links. Our economic partnership is anchored by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (ESFTA) and the EFTA-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (ESDEA).
Last updated on 12 November 2026
Singapore-Switzerland Economic Relations
Signing ceremony of the EFTA-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement on 25 September 2026. As pictured (from left to right), EFTA Secretary-General Kurt Jäger; Liechtenstein’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, WTO, EFTA and other International Organisations in Geneva Frank Büchel; Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu; Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin; Iceland’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to EFTA, WTO and other International Organisations in Geneva Einar Gunnarsson; and Norwegian Ambassador to Switzerland Kjersti Rødsmoen.
Switzerland is among Singapore’s top goods and services trading partners in Europe, while Singapore serves as an important gateway for Switzerland companies expanding into Southeast Asia.
Our partnership with Switzerland, a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), is anchored by the EFTA-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (ESFTA), which Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are also parties to. Bilateral economic partnership between Singapore and Switzerland has also expanded to include forward-looking areas such as the digital economy, through the European Free Trade Association-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (ESDEA).
Bilateral Agreements involving Switzerland
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (ESFTA)
The ESFTA was signed on 26 June 2002 and entered into force on 1 January 2003. As Singapore’s first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a European partner, the ESFTA is a comprehensive FTA removing most tariffs on both sides and contains chapters on intellectual property, liberalising services and investment market access, government procurement, and competition. It lowers barriers to trade and investment between Singapore and the EFTA States, and provides certainty and predictability for business communities on both sides.
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (ESDEA)
The ESDEA was signed on 25 September 2025 and entered into force for Singapore and Norway on 1 March 2026. The ESDEA establishes a clear framework on the rules and standards for digital trade and cross-border data flows between Singapore and the EFTA States. This facilitates seamless and more efficient cross-border digital transactions between our markets, and gives businesses and citizens clarity and legal certainty when accessing opportunities in the digital economy.
Singapore - Switzerland Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
The Singapore - Switzerland Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) encourages, protects, and creates favorable conditions for investments made by investors from one contracting state in the territory of the other state.
International Platforms involving Switzerland
Future of Trade and Investment Partnership (FIT Partnership)
The FIT Partnership is a grouping of 20 small and medium-sized, trade-dependent countries located across different regions and geographies that seeks to advocate for open, predictable, rules-based and fair trade, enhance investment flows, and facilitate collaborative solutions which are vital to their prosperity and growth.