Singapore

Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s leading digital economies. In 2024, its digital economy accounted for S$128.1 billion, equivalent to 18.6 % of GDP. The country also ranks among the world’s most digitally competitive economies. Government initiatives such as Smart Nation, combined with advanced digital infrastructure and a business-friendly regulatory environment, support innovation and digital growth. With a strong ecosystem of technology companies and startups, Singapore is an important partner for digital cooperation and a gateway to Southeast Asia.

In 2019, the German and Singaporean governments established the Singaporean-German Digital Dialogue to discuss digital policy initiatives and provide a platform for business-to-business contacts. The bilateral Digital Dialogue is led by the German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS) and the Singaporean Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).

Since its inception, the Singaporean-German Digital Dialogue has facilitated impactful events and valuable exchanges. Here are some highlights:

Building trust through direct engagement

Singapore and Germany both play leading roles in shaping global digital policy. As part of the Singaporean-German Digital Dialogue, a German delegation visited Singapore in 2024. On the agenda was a meeting with the Centre for AI and Data Governance, dialogues with German technology companies and the participation in Start2 Group’s German-Singaporean Startup Pitch Night. During a stakeholder meeting, the delegation discussed current developments and needs in the field of digitalisation with private sector representatives. The jointly developed ideas directly shape the Singaporean-German Digital Dialogue. Such direct engagements strengthen trust and pave the way for deeper collaboration ahead.

Tackling disinformation and deepfakes

Worldwide, the use of AI-generated images and videos to spread disinformation is becoming a growing concern. As part of the Singaporean-German Digital Dialogue, then State Secretary Stefan Schnorr represented the German government at the AsiaTech x Singapore 2024 summit and discussed current challenges and possible solutions around deepfakes. In a panel discussion with stakeholders from academia and industry, he stressed the importance of promoting technical innovation while upholding ethical standards and human rights. As tackling disinformation requires coordinated efforts across borders, such international exchanges are particularly valuable.

Find out more about activities within the Singaporean-German Digital Dialogue here!