OpenAI has signed a $38bn (£29bn) contract with Amazon to access its cloud computing infrastructure, as the start-up continues its run of major partnerships to secure computing power.

Singapore, Chile and New Zealand have launched negotiations for a green trade pact, which could include cooperation in areas like sustainable aviation fuel, carbon credits and renewable energy certificates.

Singapore has inked an agreement with Vietnam to support the flow of rice to the island state.

Singapore’s talks with the United States on sectoral tariffs for semiconductors – a key export for the Republic – remain “at a very early stage”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, as he reaffirmed Asean’s resolve to keep engaging all partners in a shifting global trade landscape.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will be in South Korea from Oct 29 to Nov 1 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ meeting in Gyeongju.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met his counterpart from Thailand, Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 27.

Singapore must be ready to support all promising pathways, from established technologies to novel options, in its bid to transition its fossil fuel-based energy sector to one that is clean yet affordable, said Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology Tan See Leng on Oct 27.

The United States signed a flurry of deals on trade and critical minerals with four South-east Asian partners on Oct 26, looking to address trade imbalances and diversify supply chains amid tighter export curbs on rare earths by China.

The world’s largest trade pact has stressed its commitment to an open, fair and rules-based multilateral trading system, amid an increasingly unsettled geopolitical climate.

We are pleased to share that Andy Haldane CBE has been elected the new President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), succeeding Baroness Martha Lane-Fox CBE as her three-year term concludes in accordance with the BCC Articles of Association.