The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Singapore have signed a three-year Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to stimulate growth in business events and strengthen economic ties between Singapore and Japan. This partnership, announced on 20 June 2025, aims to reinforce Singapore’s status as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentive, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) whilst enhancing trade relations between the two nations.
The global MICE industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2% from 2024 to 2032, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to lead this expansion. Singapore, leveraging its strengths in innovation, trust, and safety, alongside JETRO’s connections with Japanese industry leaders, seeks to capitalise on this trend by fostering new business opportunities across the region.
The MoC was signed at ‘The Dream Sphere’, Singapore’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. This collaboration aims to bridge Japan’s diverse economy with Singapore’s MICE capabilities, enabling events to expand their international reach and fostering meaningful collaborations. The agreement also focuses on elevating MICE standards through knowledge sharing in sustainability, productivity, and digital innovation.
Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director of SECB, stated, “This first-of-its-kind collaboration with JETRO marks a major milestone in leveraging partnerships to accelerate MICE growth.” Junji Kurokawa, Managing Director for JETRO, added, “We aim to build an even stronger win-win relationship between our two countries.”
This partnership is expected to bolster business cooperation and resilience, expanding market opportunities in both countries amidst global economic uncertainties.
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