Singapore’s foreign economic policy: The pursuit of economic security

Singapore has maintained one of the most effective foreign economic policies (FEP) of any small state, with the city-state’s proactivity in the domain of economic diplomacy demonstrated at multiple levels. This article contends that Singapore’s fundamental FEP objectives are oriented by its pursuit of economic security. Various key determinants of Singapore’s foreign economic policy are presented in setting the general context to the main discursive analysis. In addition to various geoeconomic and state-centred factors, Singapore’s deep security complex forms a crucial determinant in this respect. A framework for economic security analysis within the FEP context is developed and then applied to Singapore’s case.