Greater opportunities for Canadian companies doing business with the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Singapore

For over 70 years, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has negotiated bilateral security instruments with other countries and international organizations to promote trade and economic growth. PSPC does this by facilitating Canadian businesses’ participation in procurement contracts with foreign governments and international organizations requiring the exchange of classified information.

On June 24, 2022, PSPC and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Singapore signed a security instrument on the reciprocal protection of classified information relating to defence contracts.

With this new instrument, Canada now has international security instruments in place with:

• Australia
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Chile
• Denmark
• the European Space Agency
• European Union institutions
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Israel
• Italy
• Latvia
• the Netherlands
• New Zealand
• the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• Norway
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• the United Kingdom
• the United States

How the instruments work

Bilateral security instruments improve industrial cooperation between Canada and foreign markets by establishing mutual understanding and commitments with respect to the protection of classified information and assets when in foreign custody. For example, they:

• provide assurances regarding personnel and organizational security clearances
• outline the processes for requesting a visit to a classified facility in another country
• create rules for document transfer and for the disposal or return of classified information
• provide assurances against third party disclosure
• outline the processes for reporting and investigating security breaches

This latest security instrument will improve industrial cooperation between Canada and Singapore through safeguarding protected and classified information relating to defence contracts. It will also promote the ability of Canadian entrepreneurs to partner and participate in the Republic of Singapore’s defence contracts, programs and projects.

Benefits to Canada and Canadian companies

Bilateral security instruments support the Government of Canada’s commitments to growing the economy, creating value-added jobs and ensuring prosperity and competitiveness for all Canadians.

They promote greater trade with foreign countries and international organizations by allowing the exchange of classified information and assets in sectors as diverse as defence, security, aerospace, maritime, nuclear, and space.

They also help strengthen Canada’s partnerships in regions of strategic importance, such as the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific region is one of the greatest engines of growth in the global economy, and Singapore is 1 of 14 countries that make up the Indo-Pacific region.

This latest security instrument furthers other Government of Canada initiatives towards growing defence engagement with Singapore, as highlighted during the Defence Minister’s recent trip to Singapore.

Canadian organizations thinking about contracting or subcontracting with a foreign government, international organization, or business can learn more about international contract security requirements.