The Embassy of Denmark in Singapore showcases Denmark’s robust trade ecosystem and outlines bilateral opportunities in innovation, sustainability, and digitalisation.
Singapore, 1 August 2025 – As part of the IN Diplomacy Trade Talk Series, the Embassy of Denmark in Singapore shared key insights into Denmark’s trade priorities, regulatory framework, and strategic areas of bilateral collaboration with Singapore. The session underscored Denmark’s reputation as a world-class trading partner and its continued commitment to strengthening ties with the region.
Question: Who are your country’s top trading partners globally, and what are the top traded commodities or products between your country and international markets?
Denmark offers a highly attractive environment for international trade, consistently ranked among the best countries in the world for doing business. In fact, Denmark has been ranked as the easiest place to do business in Europe by the World Bank from 2012-2020 and for being the least corrupt country in the world in 2024 – thanks to its efficient regulatory framework, transparent legal system, well-developed infrastructure and streamlined customs procedures. Denmark is also known for its highly educated, English-speaking workforce, advanced digital infrastructure, and innovation-driven economy – particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, farming and maritime logistics.
In 2024, Denmark’s trade balance was reported as $598 billion USD, a trade balance that exceeded the previous record in Y2022 of $587 billion USD. Denmark’s trading partners are the USA, followed by Germany, Sweden, and China, including HK. Top traded export products are medical and pharmaceutical products, general industrial machinery and equipment, articles of apparel and clothing accessories, power-generating machinery and equipment, and lastly, meat and meat preparations.
Q: Are there any specific regulations or requirements for trading with Denmark?
Denmark and the EU itself have a close partnership with Singapore. In February 2019, Singapore signed a trade agreement with the European Union, also called EUSFTA, allowing free trade and investment protection.
Singapore and the EU further deepened their collaboration through the EU-Singapore Digital Free Trade Agreement back in April 2025. The agreement aims to enhance digital trade, promote secure data flows, ensure trusted cross-border data flows and the protection of source code against unauthorised disclosure.
Q: What are the main advantages and challenges of trading with your country?
Denmark is an advanced, innovation-driven economy where both companies and consumers actively seek new technology, sustainable solutions, and high-quality services. This makes Denmark an attractive market for businesses offering cutting-edge products, digital services, and green technologies. The country is known for its well-developed infrastructure, ease of doing business, and transparent regulatory environment, consistently ranking among the top globally in terms of competitiveness and digital readiness.
As a member of the European Union, Denmark also provides seamless access to the EU single market, giving international partners a gateway to over 440 million consumers.
Q: Are there trade promotion programmes, roadshows, or delegations aimed at boosting bilateral trade?
Danish companies are frequent participants at Singapore’s many industry fairs, expos, and conferences, which serve as vital platforms for networking, market insights, and trade promotion. Events such as Singapore Maritime Week, Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia, IMDEX and Singapore Fintech Week attract strong Danish representation – reflecting the close commercial ties and mutual interest in innovation, green transition, and digitalisation.
To support and expand this bilateral engagement, Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) plays an active role in promoting trade and investment through various initiatives.
Q: What kind of partnerships is your country seeking — investment, technology transfer, education, etc.?
Singapore and Denmark are two remarkably similar economies – both open, innovative, and globally impactful, consistently punching above their weight with some of the highest GDP per capita economies in the world. They both rank at the top globally in terms of competitiveness, ease of doing business, and digital readiness.
There are ample opportunities for sharing technologies, promoting knowledge sharing, and fostering collaboration across industries such as healthcare, fintech, maritime and within research.
Cityscape of downtown Copenhagen city skyline in Denmark from top view
Q: Who can interested businesses speak to for first-hand information on trade and investment?
The Economic Development Board (EDB) in Singapore is actively boosting the bilateral trade and investments. In addition, Enterprise Singapore is also assisting in export promotion programmes and trade delegations for the Singaporean small/-medium sized enterprises. For investment, businesses can reach out to our colleagues in Investment in Denmark, who are also represented at the Embassy of Denmark to Singapore.
Q: How can Singaporean traders optimise procurement by identifying high-potential, low-tariff imports from Denmark?
Denmark is globally recognised for its high-quality, innovative products, in areas like life science, agri-food, Danish design, robotics & automation, cleantech, among others. These goods often meet the highest EU standards, ensuring reliability, sustainability – key factors in order to optimise procurement value.
Few people know that Denmark is home to world-leading companies like Novo Nordisk, Maersk, Lego, Vestas, Carlsberg, and Ramboll. Take, for example, Palsgaard, a world leader in emulsifiers and stabilisers for the food industry. With its advanced food ingredients, Palsgaard plays a vital role in helping manufacturers improve texture, shelf life, and product quality. The company is also a frontrunner in sustainable production, being the first in the industry to achieve carbon-neutral production globally.
Q: What products or services from Singapore are in demand or would be welcome in your country?
Like Denmark, Singapore is known for its advanced and sustainable solutions across sectors such as life sciences, healthcare, fintech, tech and maritime. Danish companies and consumers are curious and keen to try new experiences and seek new adventures.