Singapore and Ecuador seek deeper cooperation in areas including trade, food security
The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on development cooperation on Monday (Aug 24) during Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azín’s visit to Singapore.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong with President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Noboa Azín during the latter's visit to Singapore on Aug 24, 2026. (Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information)
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SINGAPORE: Singapore and Ecuador are looking to deepen cooperation in areas including food security, digitalisation and trade, as they seek to strengthen economic links between Southeast Asia and Latin America.
The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on development cooperation on Monday (Aug 24), during Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azín’s state visit to Singapore.
His two-day trip marks the first visit by an Ecuadorian president to Singapore, with Prime Minister Lawrence describing it as an “important milestone” in bilateral relations.
“The visit reflects Ecuador’s growing interest in engaging our region,” said Mr Wong in a Facebook post on Monday.
“Likewise, Singapore is keen to deepen our links with Ecuador and Latin America, and to build closer partnerships across the Pacific.”
Mr Wong said he had a “good discussion” with Mr Noboa on ways to take bilateral relations forward, including in food security, trade, logistics and digitalisation.
“I look forward to working with President Noboa to strengthen ties between our countries, and open up new opportunities for our peoples and businesses,” he said.
"GATEWAYS" TO RESPECTIVE REGIONS
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also warmly welcomed his Ecuadorian counterpart during a state banquet held in Mr Noboa’s honour.
Singapore and Ecuador are both outward-looking maritime nations that recognise the importance of openness to trade and investment, said Mr Tharman in a speech at the banquet.
“We are both gateways to our respective regions,” he said.
“Ecuador is well-positioned to connect the Pacific coast of South America, and can help Singapore companies access opportunities in the Andean region and the wider markets of Latin America.”
Singapore, meanwhile, could serve a similar role for Ecuadorian companies looking for supply chains, investors and consumers in Southeast Asia, given its position as a leading maritime and logistics hub and member of the regional ASEAN bloc, he added.
Mr Tharman also highlighted a free trade agreement between Singapore, Chile and Peru that came into force in May last year.
“The Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement … was a significant milestone in Singapore’s engagement with Latin America,” he said, adding that his country wanted to deepen economic links with the wider region,” he said.
“In this context, Singapore warmly welcomes Ecuador’s application to become an associate state of the Pacific Alliance. This will open up more economic opportunities between us bilaterally.”
OTHER POTENTIAL AREAS FOR COOPERATION
Agriculture and food are another promising area for cooperation, said Mr Tharman, pointing to Ecuador’s rich agricultural and marine resources, including bananas, cocoa and shrimp,
Singapore companies have already established operations or built ties in Ecuador,
For example, agri-trade company DiMuto has worked with Ecuadorian partners to digitise and trace agricultural exports to Asian markets. PSA Marine also provides pilotage and boat services in Ecuador’s Guayaquil and Posorja ports.
“These are good examples of what our partnership can become - combining capabilities in ways that create value and open new markets,” said Mr Tharman.
The Singapore president added that both countries could learn a lot from each other about preserving natural and cultural heritage.
Ecuador has five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic City of Quito, the Galápagos Islands and Sangay National Park.
Singapore, despite being a small country, is also determined to integrate greenery in its landscape, said Mr Tharman, pointing to the Singapore Botanical Gardens, which is the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The new MOU on development cooperation is the “starting point” for strengthening the partnership between Singapore and Ecuador in areas of mutual priority, such as trade, education, governance, digitalisation and public health, said Mr Tharman.
“Ultimately, the foundations of any bilateral relationship are built not just through agreements, but through the people who give them meaning and momentum,” he added.
The two countries should create more opportunities for their people to meet and engage, said Mr Tharman. “It is through these personal relationships that the most enduring forms of cooperation take root.”
