Written reply to PQ on initiatives and strategies to help Singaporeans and enterprises tap into fast-growing markets in Africa and Middle East

Question:

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what specific initiatives and strategies will the Government implement to help Singaporeans and enterprises tap into fast-growing markets in Africa and the Middle East, as announced in Budget 2026; (b) how have those plans been affected by the Middle East conflict which broke out in late February 2026; and (c) whether there are concrete roadmaps and measurable objectives for this effort. 

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.                  The Government has implemented a series of initiatives to support our enterprises’ foray into emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East First, we are strengthening our trade architecture. We have an existing FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)[1] since 2013 and are exploring free trade agreements with Egypt and the East African Community (EAC)[2].

2.                  Second, EnterpriseSG and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) are expanding our presence in these regions. EnterpriseSG has five overseas offices in Africa and the Middle East, namely in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the UAE, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. SBF launched the Singapore Enterprise Centre in Dubai in November, which is SBF’s first overseas office in the Middle East. SBF is also planning a tentative business mission to Tanzania this year.

3.                  Third, we have enhanced support for Singapore companies to enter overseas markets. We have increased the Market Readiness Assistance Grant (MRA) support levels from 50% to 70% for SMEs and 30% to 50% for non-SMEs from 1 April 2026. From 2H2026, under EnterpriseSG’s new EDGE grant, we will also remove the “new market” criterion for activities supported under MRA, so enterprises can also deepen their presence in overseas markets. We also removed the maximum facility-level loan caps for the Enterprise Financing Scheme-Trade Loan and SME Fixed Assets Loan to better meet companies’ financing needs for internationalisation.

4.                  The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has introduced significant geopolitical uncertainties. We are nonetheless confident in the resilience and adaptability of our companies and will continue to support them as they seek business opportunities in these regions. 

[1] The GCC market comprises KSA, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

[2] The EAC comprises Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.