Singapore, Thailand to collaborate in new areas like energy, food security

S'pore keen on carbon credit cooperation too, PM Wong says on visit to country

- Chin Soo Fang

Singapore and Thailand will expand their cooperation in new areas, including food and energy security, the green economy and digital connectivity.

Both countries will also deepen existing cooperation in defence, trade and investment.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore is keen to work with Thailand on carbon credits.

"Thailand itself is stepping up its production of green power, including hydrogen and biofuels. So, we can work towards an implementation agreement on carbon credits collaboration, which would open up new opportunities for our companies," he said.

PM Wong was speaking at a joint media conference with his Thai counterpart, Ms Paetongtarn Shinawatra, at the Government House in Bangkok on Nov 28.

Singapore has implementation agreements with Papua New Guinea and Ghana, but carbon credits have not been traded yet.

Once an implementation agreement is signed, it paves the way for carbon tax-liable companies in Singapore to buy carbon credits from projects in partner countries to offset up to 5 per cent of their taxable emissions.

PM Paetongtarn said the two countries discussed collaboration on green technologies and investments in renewable energy, which will help both achieve their carbon neutrality and net-zero commitments.

On food security, PM Wong said: "This is also important for Singapore, as we import most of what we consume, and we are continually looking to enhance our food security."

PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, was on his introductory visit to the Thai capital at the invitation of PM Paetongtarn.

In Asean, he has visited Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Laos since becoming prime minister in May.

He is the first leader to make an official visit to Thailand since Ms Paetongtarn became Thailand's prime minister in August.