Italy and Singapore enjoy friendly and longstanding relations. Italy was one of the first countries to recognize Singapore following its independence in 1965. Singapore declared its independence on August 14, and diplomatic relations were established just a few weeks later, on October 28.
Bilateral relations are supported by a large and talented Italian community—over 5,000 people—and a growing number of companies, now exceeding 300.
Our ties with Singapore have strengthened in recent years, as demonstrated by a series of high-level visits. In April 2025, the Deputy Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Hon. Valentino Valentini, visited the country for an institutional mission. In October 2024, on the occasion of the Singapore stop of the Vespucci Ship’s world tour, official visits were also held by the Undersecretary of State for Defence, Hon. Perego di Cremnago, and again by Deputy Minister Valentini.
In June 2024, the President of the Republic of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, was received in Rome by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The delegation also included the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan, who held talks with Deputy Minister Valentini.
Economic cooperation between Italy and Singapore has grown significantly, confirming the country’s increasing strategic importance as a regional hub for Italian companies. Many Italian firms see Singapore as an ideal operational base for expanding into Southeast Asian markets.
Defense and security cooperation has also been consolidated, with annual staff consultations, pilot training programs for Singaporean personnel, and significant Italian defense supplies. This cooperation has been further strengthened by port calls in Singapore by the Carrier Strike Group with the Cavour aircraft carrier (June and September 2024), the Vespucci training ship (October 2024), and the Marceglia frigate during the international naval exhibition IMDEX Asia (May 2025).
Italy is also active at the regional level. On 9 September 2020, ASEAN granted Italy the status of Development Partner. The Development Partnership aims to enhance cooperation between Italy and ASEAN—the world’s fifth-largest economy—and to coordinate joint projects in areas such as connectivity, sustainable development, disaster management, and cultural heritage protection. Italy intends to continue its engagement in dialogue with ASEAN as a means of maintaining a stable presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
As a member of the European Union, Italy adheres to the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and benefits from the existing agreements between the EU and Singapore, including the Free Trade Agreement (in force since 2019), the Investment Protection Agreement (ratified by Italy in 2024 and pending entry into force), the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (in force since February 2025), and the Digital Trade Agreement (signed on 7 May 2025).