Opening doors to new markets: Singapore’s ties with the Pacific Alliance
DEC 17, 2025
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Opening doors to new markets: Singapore’s ties with the Pacific Alliance
Once considered an exotic curiosity, Latin American cuisine is shedding
its niche status in Singapore. “Diners here are adventurous and willing to
embrace the unfamiliar, which gives us the confidence to present Chilean
cuisine in a way that is both authentic and forward-looking,” says
Francisco Araya, chef of ARAYA, the world’s first and only
Michelin-starred Chilean restaurant located along Neil Road.
The diversity of Singapore’s ingredients is a gift. This abundance has allowed us to craft dishes that remain Chilean at heart but are uniquely shaped by the city we call home.Share quote
Francisco Araya, chef of ARAYA
Joining ARAYA in flying Latin American cuisine’s flag high on Singapore’s
colourful food map are restaurants such as Latido, CANCHITA and Señor
Taco, featuring unique native ingredients such as merkén (Chile), huacatay
(Peru), hogao (Colombia) and habanero (Mexico).
Chilean cuisine anchored by South American and Japanese ingredients at
ARAYA.
You don’t need to fly over 20 hours to taste good Latin American food
Making this possible has been Singapore’s engagement with the Pacific
Alliance – an economic bloc comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru
– which has paved the way for local diners to experience authentic Latin
American cuisine. From high-value crops such as fruits and grains, to
proteins such as seafood, beef and poultry, the Pacific Alliance
broadens Singapore’s supply sources and reduces our reliance on any
single region. Singapore’s engagement with the Pacific Alliance has
resulted in accreditation of various types of meats from Colombia, Chile
and Mexico, giving Singaporeans a wider selection of protein sources,
and better protection against supply shocks.
Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry Alvin Tan with
the Peruvian, Chilean and Mexican Ambassadors to Singapore and then
Ambassador-designate of Colombia to Singapore, marking the Pacific
Alliance's Free Trade Agreement's entry into force for Singapore, Peru
and Chile in May 2025.
Exploring new possibilities
Beyond that, engaging with the Pacific Alliance also builds a bridge to
its vibrant and fast-growing markets, opening up new possibilities in
trade, investment and innovation across the Pacific. Enterprise Singapore
has worked with partners to facilitate Singapore firms, such as
Crimsonlogic, in making inroads into Colombia.
Business delegation, led by the Singapore Business Federation and
supported by Enterprise Singapore, at Universidad Panamericana in
Mexico City.
The Singapore Business Federation and Enterprise Singapore have also led a
manufacturing business mission to Mexico focused on helping Singapore
companies explore Mexico as a manufacturing and export hub. Similarly,
with the Implementation Agreement on carbon credits collaboration under
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement signed with Chile and Peru, Singapore can
now export its expertise in green finance and carbon services into new
cross-border projects. These efforts are just the start of how stronger
economic ties can unlock new areas of growth.
