SINGAPORE – September 18, 2020 – BSA | The Software Alliance applauds the Australian government for signing the Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (AU-SG DEA) with the Government of Singapore in August 2020. The agreement, which allows for the free flow of data across borders and prohibits data localization mandates, is an important step in building a global consensus on data. Now, BSA urges the Australian Joint Standing Committee on Treaties to endorse the adoption of the agreement.

“Cross-border connectivity is essential to the digital economy and can lead to increases in wages, productivity, innovation, health, and education. These economic benefits are of critical importance in today’s uncertain global economy,” said Brian Fletcher, Director, Policy – APAC at BSA | The Software Alliance. “We’re especially pleased that this agreement supports key provisions including mutual recognition of e-signatures, cooperation on AI, and the interoperability of personal information protection frameworks. BSA urges the committee to accept the AU-SG DEA and looks forward to continued collaboration with the Australian and Singaporean governments as they work to advance international norms on digital trade.”

Read BSA’s full letter to the Australian Government here.