FOOD, ENERGY AND AI COOPERATION
On food security, Mr Wong said Singapore and Thailand were looking at strengthening food supply chains by encouraging greater collaboration between food producers and traders.
In November, the two countries concluded an agreement on rice trade that aims to strengthen food security for Singapore while expanding export opportunities for Thai farmers.
Closer collaboration would tap Thailand’s strengths as a major food producer and Singapore’s role as a logistics and trading hub, he added.
The countries are also working to strengthen energy resilience through initiatives such as the ASEAN power grid and cooperation in carbon credits.
Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, were another area discussed at the retreat.
Mr Wong said both countries were investing in AI and looking at ways to deploy the technology more widely across their economies.
He identified manufacturing, healthcare and tourism as areas where Singapore and Thailand could work together on practical AI applications. Both sides could also share experiences on deploying AI safely and responsibly while encouraging innovation and adoption, he said.
CLOSER CONNECTIVITY
The two countries also discussed strengthening physical and digital connectivity.
Mr Wong said Singapore could be a “natural partner” in Thailand’s plans to bolster its position as a regional trade and logistics hub, pointing to the capabilities of Singapore companies such as port operator PSA.
On digital links, Singapore and Thailand pioneered the PromptPay-PayNow linkage in 2021, the world’s first linkage between two national real-time payment systems.
The next step would be to connect with more countries through a common multilateral framework, Mr Wong said. Both sides would also identify new opportunities for companies to collaborate in fintech and the wider digital economy.
The leaders also discussed regional and international developments, with Mr Wong describing Singapore and Thailand as like-minded partners with a shared interest in a “strong and united ASEAN”.
Singapore will chair the regional grouping in 2027, followed by Thailand in 2028.
Mr Wong said the successive chairmanships presented a “unique opportunity” for the two countries to work together on initiatives requiring sustained effort over several years.
He and Mr Anutin agreed that their teams should develop a multi-year agenda to build continuity and momentum from one ASEAN chairmanship to the next.