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CHINA and Singapore on Thursday signed a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in Beijing which will cut tariffs to zero for more than 85 per cent of Singapore exports when it comes into force in January.
The signing of the FTA, the first to be concluded by China with an Asian country, was witnessed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is in China on a five-day official visit.
Key outcomes of China-Singapore FTA
All Singapore goods, except for about 260 products, will enjoy tariff-free access to China by 2010.
These make up about 95 per cent of Singapore's exports to China.
The pact, concluded after two years and eight rounds of negotiations which began in October 2006, 'is set to bring about advantages for Singapore businesses and consumers', said a statement from the Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
'This FTA also comes at a particularly important time, as it underscores Singapore's commitment to the trade liberalisation process amidst an increasingly challenging global economic environment,' said MTI.
The agreement was signed by Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Chinese Minister for Commerce Chen Deming at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Building on the AseanChina FTA, the bilateral comprehensive agreement covers areas including trade in goods, rules of origin, trade remedies, trade in services, movement of natural persons, investment, customs procedures, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and economic cooperation.
'It will enhance bilateral economic relations by further reducing and removing barriers to trade. This will create opportunities for businesses from both countries to grow their links in each other's markets,' said MTI.
The FTA will give preferential coverage for about 95 per cent of Singapore's expots to China, with a trade value of more than S$18 billion.
More than 85 per cent of Singapore exports to China will be at zero-tariff when the FTA kicks in on Jan 1, with another 10 per cent to become duty-free on Jan 1, 2010.
Under the agreement, Singapore will grant preferential tariff-free treatment for all China exports.
The signing of the FTA, the first to be concluded by China with an Asian country, was witnessed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is in China on a five-day official visit.
Key outcomes of China-Singapore FTA
All Singapore goods, except for about 260 products, will enjoy tariff-free access to China by 2010.
These make up about 95 per cent of Singapore's exports to China.
The pact, concluded after two years and eight rounds of negotiations which began in October 2006, 'is set to bring about advantages for Singapore businesses and consumers', said a statement from the Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
'This FTA also comes at a particularly important time, as it underscores Singapore's commitment to the trade liberalisation process amidst an increasingly challenging global economic environment,' said MTI.
The agreement was signed by Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Chinese Minister for Commerce Chen Deming at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Building on the AseanChina FTA, the bilateral comprehensive agreement covers areas including trade in goods, rules of origin, trade remedies, trade in services, movement of natural persons, investment, customs procedures, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and economic cooperation.
'It will enhance bilateral economic relations by further reducing and removing barriers to trade. This will create opportunities for businesses from both countries to grow their links in each other's markets,' said MTI.
The FTA will give preferential coverage for about 95 per cent of Singapore's expots to China, with a trade value of more than S$18 billion.
More than 85 per cent of Singapore exports to China will be at zero-tariff when the FTA kicks in on Jan 1, with another 10 per cent to become duty-free on Jan 1, 2010.
Under the agreement, Singapore will grant preferential tariff-free treatment for all China exports.