DBS and Austrade ink memorandum of understanding to deepen investment links between Australia and Southeast Asia
Singapore, Regional.18 Jun 2025
Agreement will help businesses unlock cross-border growth opportunities in both regions
Collaboration announced in conjunction with DBS Australia’s 10th anniversary
Singapore, Regional, 18 Jun 2025 - DBS and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create opportunities for Australian companies and investors to expand into DBS’ markets in Southeast Asia including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS, announced the MOU with Austrade during her welcome address at the 10th anniversary celebrations of DBS Australia. The initiative is the first between Austrade and a Singapore bank and aims to create opportunities for Australian companies and investors to expand into DBS’ markets in Southeast Asia including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
In line with Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to grow two-way trade and investment through to 2040[1], the agreement provides a practical pathway to increase market awareness and support to facilitate investments between Australia and one of the world’s fastest growing regions[2].
The MOU – the first-of-its-kind between Austrade and a Singapore bank – was announced in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of DBS’ Sydney branch. It builds on DBS’ longstanding commitment towards advancing Australia’s economic priorities onshore and abroad.
Australia, with its deep capital markets and well-capitalised corporate sector, is well placed to accelerate economic engagement with Southeast Asia. The region also represents a significant economic opportunity for Australian businesses. By 2040, Southeast Asia as a bloc is projected to be the fourth largest economy in the world, with a young and dynamic working population.
Against this backdrop, the initiative sets out a comprehensive framework through which DBS and Austrade will collaborate to help Australian companies establish and expand their footprint in the region.
Under the agreement, the partners will make available a suite of essential resources including market insights and regulatory guidance, as well as facilitate connections with regional partners and industry leaders to unlock commercial opportunities. Where appropriate, DBS will leverage its capabilities to provide advisory services such as support on market entry strategies, financial planning and risk management. Plans are already underway to jointly organise an investor roundtable in Sydney in 3Q2025 to engage businesses and showcase regional investment opportunities.
Dr Paul Grimes, Chief Executive Officer, Austrade said: “Southeast Asia’s expanding middle class, rapid urbanisation and growing demand for digital and sustainable development are reshaping the region’s economic landscape. Supply chains are being remapped and trade routes re-written. These trends present compelling opportunities for Australian businesses. Through this collaboration, Austrade and DBS will combine expertise to provide timely, practical support to help them seize this enormous potential.”
Tan Su Shan, Chief Executive Officer, DBS said: “DBS established our presence in Australia 10 years ago, in recognition of its strategic location and increasing economic cooperation with Asian partners. We are pleased that over the past decade, we have been able to facilitate investment and trade flows for our customers in Australia and to structure and support business initiatives of Australian corporates in the region. Looking ahead, the bank will continue to dial up support for customers in key growth sectors such as technology, renewables, energy and infrastructure. We will also continue to support the growth of financial institutions including superannuation funds. The MOU with Austrade reaffirms our belief in the potential of Australia-Southeast Asia connectivity and enables us to deliver on our shared ambition to drive meaningful impact across the region.”
DBS set up its Australia branch in 2015 to facilitate business growth in Australia, as well as to connect clients in Australia with Asia and vice-versa, and support them more meaningfully.
Over the years, the bank has facilitated inbound investments by Asian companies in the Australia real estate sector, as well as supported Australia’s energy transition and the growth of its digital infrastructure. It has also supported outbound investments by Australian businesses in line with their regional expansion strategies.
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About Austrade
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) helps grow Australia’s prosperity by delivering quality trade and investment services to businesses, accelerates growth in Australia’s tourism sector and promotes Australia’s education to the world. Go further, faster with austrade.gov.au.
Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS, announced the MOU with Austrade during her welcome address at the 10th anniversary celebrations of DBS Australia. The initiative is the first between Austrade and a Singapore bank and aims to create opportunities for Australian companies and investors to expand into DBS’ markets in Southeast Asia including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.In line with Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to grow two-way trade and investment through to 2040[1], the agreement provides a practical pathway to increase market awareness and support to facilitate investments between Australia and one of the world’s fastest growing regions[2].
The MOU – the first-of-its-kind between Austrade and a Singapore bank – was announced in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of DBS’ Sydney branch. It builds on DBS’ longstanding commitment towards advancing Australia’s economic priorities onshore and abroad.
Australia, with its deep capital markets and well-capitalised corporate sector, is well placed to accelerate economic engagement with Southeast Asia. The region also represents a significant economic opportunity for Australian businesses. By 2040, Southeast Asia as a bloc is projected to be the fourth largest economy in the world, with a young and dynamic working population.
Against this backdrop, the initiative sets out a comprehensive framework through which DBS and Austrade will collaborate to help Australian companies establish and expand their footprint in the region.
Under the agreement, the partners will make available a suite of essential resources including market insights and regulatory guidance, as well as facilitate connections with regional partners and industry leaders to unlock commercial opportunities. Where appropriate, DBS will leverage its capabilities to provide advisory services such as support on market entry strategies, financial planning and risk management. Plans are already underway to jointly organise an investor roundtable in Sydney in 3Q2025 to engage businesses and showcase regional investment opportunities.
Dr Paul Grimes, Chief Executive Officer, Austrade said: “Southeast Asia’s expanding middle class, rapid urbanisation and growing demand for digital and sustainable development are reshaping the region’s economic landscape. Supply chains are being remapped and trade routes re-written. These trends present compelling opportunities for Australian businesses. Through this collaboration, Austrade and DBS will combine expertise to provide timely, practical support to help them seize this enormous potential.”
Tan Su Shan, Chief Executive Officer, DBS said: “DBS established our presence in Australia 10 years ago, in recognition of its strategic location and increasing economic cooperation with Asian partners. We are pleased that over the past decade, we have been able to facilitate investment and trade flows for our customers in Australia and to structure and support business initiatives of Australian corporates in the region. Looking ahead, the bank will continue to dial up support for customers in key growth sectors such as technology, renewables, energy and infrastructure. We will also continue to support the growth of financial institutions including superannuation funds. The MOU with Austrade reaffirms our belief in the potential of Australia-Southeast Asia connectivity and enables us to deliver on our shared ambition to drive meaningful impact across the region.”
DBS set up its Australia branch in 2015 to facilitate business growth in Australia, as well as to connect clients in Australia with Asia and vice-versa, and support them more meaningfully.
Over the years, the bank has facilitated inbound investments by Asian companies in the Australia real estate sector, as well as supported Australia’s energy transition and the growth of its digital infrastructure. It has also supported outbound investments by Australian businesses in line with their regional expansion strategies.
[1] https://www.dfat.gov.au/southeastasiaeconomicstrategy
[2] The GDP of the top six economies in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.1% over the next decade.
[END]
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About Austrade
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) helps grow Australia’s prosperity by delivering quality trade and investment services to businesses, accelerates growth in Australia’s tourism sector and promotes Australia’s education to the world. Go further, faster with austrade.gov.au.
