The Ministry of Trade and Industry (“MTI“) is seeking feedback from Singapore companies on their priorities and experiences with regard to the United Arab Emirates’ (“UAE“) digital economy (such as paperless trading, cross-border data flows, requirements for data localisation, and emerging technologies), and the opportunities these companies wish to utilise. The feedback received will inform discussions on the UAE’s application to accede to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (“DEPA“). The consultation will end on 14 January 2026.
Singapore, New Zealand and Chile signed the DEPA in June 2020, with the Republic of Korea joining as the Agreement as its fourth Party in May 2024. The DEPA establishes common digital trade rules and fosters cooperation on emerging issues in the digital economy to maintain a well-integrated and connected environment for businesses to engage in digital trade.
The UAE applied to join the DEPA on 7 June 2023. MTI has stated that the expansion of the DEPA network to include the UAE will enable businesses to engage more seamlessly across a larger number of digital economies and foster deeper digital integration, making it easier for Singapore businesses to leverage digital trade and reach customers across borders. To this end, the DEPA aims to achieve three key outcomes:
- facilitate end-to-end digital trade by promoting the use of paperless trade and digital tools across all stages of the trading process;
- enable open and secure data flows; and
- build trust in the digital system by promoting the development of frameworks and regulations for the adoption of emerging technologies and responsible expansion of operations.
MTI is inviting Singapore-registered businesses and members of the public to provide feedback on issues relating to the UAE’s digital economy such as paperless trading, cross-border data flows, requirements for data localisation, and emerging technologies, among others. The feedback provided will be helpful in assessing the UAE’s compliance with the DEPA’s standards and commitments.
Click on the following link for more information:
- MTI Press Release titled “Public Consultation on the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA)” (available on the MTI website at mti.gov.sg)
Disclaimer
Rajah & Tann Asia is a network of member firms with local legal practices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Our Asian network also includes our regional office in China as well as regional desks focused on Brunei, Japan and South Asia. Member firms are independently constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local requirements.
The contents of this publication are owned by Rajah & Tann Asia together with each of its member firms and are subject to all relevant protection (including but not limited to copyright protection) under the laws of each of the countries where the member firm operates and, through international treaties, other countries. No part of this publication may be reproduced, licensed, sold, published, transmitted, modified, adapted, publicly displayed, broadcast (including storage in any medium by electronic means whether or not transiently for any purpose save as permitted herein) without the prior written permission of Rajah & Tann Asia or its respective member firms.
Please note also that whilst the information in this publication is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief at the time of writing, it is only intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be treated as legal advice or a substitute for specific professional advice for any particular course of action as such information may not suit your specific business and operational requirements. You should seek legal advice for your specific situation. In addition, the information in this publication does not create any relationship, whether legally binding or otherwise. Rajah & Tann Asia and its member firms do not accept, and fully disclaim, responsibility for any loss or damage which may result from accessing or relying on the information in this publication.
