MTI Internship: Modernising Trade through Digital Innovation in the Asia-Pacific

International Trade Division (ITD) - Modernising Trade through Digital Innovation in the Asia-Pacific

Technology has changed our daily lives, and now it is changing the future of trade and investment. At APEC, Singapore is leading the use of digital solutions to create faster and smoother pathways for international trade (“digital trade”). This internship project will put you at the forefront of this transformation, where you will explore how digitalisation can improve the way countries and businesses connect and trade with each other. This summer, you will support two ongoing digital trade projects and participate in planning Singapore’s strategic priorities in this area for the next five years, including for our chairmanship of APEC 2030. You will be expected to produce a final project as part of the TIP@MTI programme. You may craft a project that aligns with your interests while adding tangible value to MTI's digital trade work. Your project should address at least one of the following areas: (i) strategic goal-setting; (ii) enhancement of current operations; and (ii) potential new focus areas. This position will offer you opportunities to delve into the topic of digital trade, which is crucial to Singapore, and obtain invaluable experience in policy research, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement across various APEC workstreams. Problem Statement(s) 1. What are the key barriers preventing different stakeholder groups from adopting digital trade solutions, and how can Singapore design targeted engagement strategies to accelerate regional adoption at APEC? 2. How can Singapore use its advanced digital trade capabilities to help other APEC economies participate meaningfully in regional digital trade networks? 3. How should Singapore prioritise its digital trade initiatives to balance short-term wins with long-term strategic goals for its APEC 2030 chairmanship and regional leadership? Technical and Desk Work 1. Research and assessment of domestic and regional trends in digital trade. 2. Identification of key stakeholders from the public and private sectors and their digital trade adoption challenges. 3. Review existing digital trade solutions and its potential impact on regional digital trade facilitation initiatives. Exposure and Platforms 1. [When available/appropriate] Attend relevant APEC-related meetings or webinars 2. Support the implementation of Singapore’s APEC projects in 2026 relating to digital trade 3. Support MTI-APEC team’s planning for Singapore’s Paperless Trade Dialogue in August 2026 4. Contribute to the broader planning for Singapore’s Chairmanship of APEC 2030 Planned Deliverables 1. Develop final project that includes: a. A research report on regional priorities, challenges and solutions on digital trade. b. Stakeholder consultation summary that documents consultations conducted and key insights and findings from each stakeholder group on their interests and challenges in the adoption of digital trade. c. Recommendations for Singapore's APEC 2030 chairmanship. 2. Help out with MTI’s ongoing APEC projects that relate to digital trade: (i) APEC Centre of Excellence for Paperless Trade and (ii) digital labelling pilot project. 3. Support planning for Singapore’s Paperless Trade Dialogue in August 2026. 4. [When needed] Other APEC-related work as assigned. Main Project: The project will be two-fold, i.e. (1) To support the MTI-APEC team on ongoing digital trade projects and events, i.e. the APEC Centre of Excellence for Paperless Trade; Digital Labelling Pilot Project; and Paperless Trade Dialogue in August 2026. (2) To provide a report on the following: (i) Findings from research on regional and global trends on the use of digital trade solutions to facilitate trade flows. (ii) Findings from consultations of stakeholders in the public and private sectors in Singapore to find out their interests and challenges in adopting digital trade solutions, with a focus on paperless trade. of digital trade. (iii) Any recommendations from above findings that MTI can help with. Other Responsibilities: To work with the other intern handling the APEC 2030 project to feed in research and consultation findings on digital trade, so that recommendations and work forward can be considered as part of Singapore’s APEC 2030 Chairmanship. Overall, this project offers the intern the opportunity to: (a) delve into a specific issue of importance to Singapore, i.e. digital trade, and play a part in transformation; (b) consult with both the public sector (relevant agencies) and the private sector (traders / businesses) and see their interests and suggestions come to life in operationalisation recommendations; and (c) obtain invaluable experience in policy research, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to synthesise information from various sources, and an interest in international economic cooperation. • You should be creative, adaptable, and able to juggle multiple tasks effectively. • Excellent communication skills, both written are verbal are required. • Suitable for a graduate or advanced undergraduate in economics, international relations, public policy, or a related field. • Familiarity with APEC is a plus, but not required