UAE envoy visits Singapore to boost business and investment ties

UAE envoy H.E. Badr Jafar is wrapping up a three-day visit to Singapore aimed at expanding trade, investment and philanthropic ties between the two countries.

During the visit, UAE's Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, Badr Jafar met leaders from investment institutions, universities and philanthropic organisations, including Temasek, PSA International and the National University of Singapore.

Talks focused on expanding market access, connecting long-term capital with businesses and infrastructure, and cooperation in advanced manufacturing, ports and logistics.

“Singapore and the UAE have each turned connection into a competitive advantage,” Jafar said.

He said the task now was to turn a strong bilateral foundation into practical partnerships across enterprise, infrastructure, talent and philanthropy.

The UAE is Singapore’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, with bilateral goods trade reaching $43.71 billion in 2025, up from $39.32 billion the year before. UAE direct investment in Singapore totalled $5.12 billion between 2021 and 2025, while around 230 Singaporean companies have set up in the UAE since 2003.

The visit follows the 17th Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum last month, which produced an agreement on investment cooperation and plans for an industrial corridor between Abu Dhabi and Singapore.

Jafar also took part in several major forums, including the Forbes Global CEO Conference and the Milken Institute Asia Summit, where speakers included Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.