Australia, Singapore Sign Digital Trade Agreement

Australia's new digital trade agreement with Singapore represents the “most ambitious digital trade rules” Australia has ever negotiated, that government said in an Aug. 6 news release. The deal includes provisions on e-commerce and is expected to make it “easier for [Australian] exporters to do business,” Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said. Birmingham said the agreement will help Australian companies “reach more customers and further tap into the Singaporean market.” The deal will also decrease costs for Singapore companies exporting to Australia, Singapore said, adding it hopes to better connect the two countries’ national single windows, implement “e-verification” for imports and exports, and better share and verify electronic trade documents.