The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. was pleased to host a Global Executive Conversation featuring Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry (MTI), on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Mr. Gan was interviewed by Barbara Humpton, Chair of the Economic Club’s Global Initiative and CEO of Siemens USA.
Singapore and the United States share a robust economic relationship reinforced by the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA). In effect since 2004, it is the first bilateral trade agreement that the U.S. signed with a country in Asia. There are currently over 5,800 U.S. companies based in Singapore. In more than 30 states, Singapore’s U.S. investments have supported over a quarter million jobs for Americans.
Mr. Gan was appointed Minister for Trade and Industry in 2021 with the key priority of identifying new growth opportunities to support Singapore's ongoing economic development. Prior to MTI, Mr. Gan was Minister for Health for ten years and Minister for Manpower for three years. His other previous appointments include Minister of State for Education and Minister of State for Manpower (October 2005 to March 2008).
Mr. Gan started his career in the Singapore Civil Service at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Home Affairs. In 1989, he left for the private sector and joined NatSteel Ltd, where he held various positions, culminating in 2005 as the CEO and President.
