New Zealand sends first batch of essential supplies to Singapore, as part of pact to keep trade flowing amid Covid-19

SINGAPORE — Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and New Zealand High Commissioner Jo Tyndall were at Changi Airport on Wednesday morning (April 22) to receive a shipment of essential supplies from New Zealand.

The Ministry for Trade and Industry (MTI) said in a press release that about 20 tonnes of meat such as lamb and beef were sent to Singapore on the chartered Air New Zealand flight.

More batches of shipment will arrive, with a spokesperson from MTI saying that both countries are in the midst of scheduling subsequent flights, which will include essential items such as meat, fruit and eggs.

In a Facebook post, Mr Chan said Singapore is currently assisting New Zealanders to return home, as well as helping the country to source essential medical supplies.

He added that he is looking forward to more collaborations with “like-minded” countries even though the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted cross-border trade.

This shipment comes a week after Mr Chan and Mr David Parker, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Export Growth, launched a declaration in which both countries pledged to ensure the continued production and flow of essential supplies through their sea and air ports.

Both countries will also not impose tariffs or implement trade restrictive measures that would hinder the flow of essential goods.

The declaration builds on a joint ministerial statement issued by Singapore and New Zealand in March on supply chain connectivity.

Since then, seven other countries have joined the collaboration and pledged their commitment to keep supply chains for essential products undisrupted. They are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Laos, Myanmar and Uruguay.