EnterpriseSG and JETRO Renew Pact, Expand into AI and Biotech

Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) have renewed their memorandum of cooperation for another three years, significantly expanding the scope of their bilateral partnership to cover artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, clean energy technologies, and life sciences. The renewed pact, signed on 2 July at the JETRO Singapore 70th Anniversary Business Forum, broadens what was previously a narrower trade and startup-focused arrangement into a comprehensive technology and innovation partnership.

The expansion adds artificial intelligence development, semiconductor supply chain collaboration, and quantum computing research alongside clean energy technologies such as offshore wind and hydrogen. A new life sciences and healthcare pillar brings in digital health, precision medicine, and biotechnology as focus areas. Crucially, the partnership now extends beyond startups to include high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises and larger companies with technology and innovation capabilities, widening the funnel of businesses that can access business matching, ecosystem linkages, and knowledge-exchange programmes.

The signing coincides with the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations and follows the Singapore-Japan Strategic Partnership announced by Prime Ministers Lawrence Wong and Sanae Takaichi in March 2026. Japan remains one of Singapores ten largest trading and investment partners, with bilateral merchandise trade exceeding S$56 billion in 2025. Japan was also Singapores third-largest source of foreign direct investment and second-largest services export destination after the United States, with bilateral services trade surpassing S$67 billion in 2024.

EnterpriseSG Chairman Lee Chuan Teck said the renewal underscores both the strength of bilateral ties and a shared ambition to foster stronger collaborations between companies and the wider ecosystem to address challenges in an increasingly complex global environment. JETRO President Susumu Kataoka added that the agreement builds on the existing partnership and will support the international expansion of businesses and cross-border collaboration across ASEAN and other markets.

Why it matters for Singapore: The expanded EnterpriseSG-JETRO pact gives Singapore-based AI and deep-tech companies a structured pathway into Japans corporate and research ecosystem one of the worlds largest technology markets. For Singapore startups working in AI, semiconductors, and biotech, this means direct access to Japanese corporate partners, research institutions, and co-innovation programmes without having to navigate the market alone. With bilateral trade already exceeding S$120 billion combined (goods and services), the renewed pact creates additional channels for Singapore tech companies to scale through Japan.