U.S. Singapore Free Trade Agreement

U.S. Congress Approves United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement

August 1, 2003

Another milestone in the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement has been achieved, with the passage by both Houses of the U.S. Congress of HR 2739, the formal legislation to implement the agreement.

Welcoming the event, U.S. Ambassador Frank Lavin noted, “This is very good news for both the Singaporean and American economies, and I look forward to the legislation being signed by President Bush and entering into force in January. Singapore has long been the natural hub for U.S. businesses in the region, and with the passage of the FTA, it now becomes the easiest Asian market for U.S. businesses to enter. I congratulate Tommy Koh, Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, and the other Singapore negotiators for helping guide this through to completion, and in producing such a splendid agreement.”