Singapore is the largest physical commodities trading hub in Asia and home to the decision-making and risk management functions for global commodity traders. In 2013, wholesale trade accounted for 1 in 10 jobs in Singapore. It is one of the largest contributors to Singapore’s economic value-add (VA) among all services sectors, constituting 16% of Singapore’s total VA and contributing more than 350,000 jobs. It has been a high growth sector over the past decade, achieving 12% annual VA growth between 2002 and 2012.
The bustling ecosystem of offshore traders and supporting industries creates highly-skilled jobs for Singaporeans and include some 14,100 professionals. To further strengthen Singapore’s status as a leading global trading hub, there is a need to develop a robust talent pool as part of the trade ecosystem. It is estimated that Singapore will need to grow the specialised talent pool for the trading sector by approximately 500 per year to ensure a healthy pipeline of talent to fuel and sustain the continued growth of the sector.
With total trade valued almost three times of Singapore’s GDP, the commodity trading sector is vital to Singapore’s future economic growth and an attractive career pathway for NTU graduates. The global commodity trading corporations present opportunities for graduates with technical competencies in the trading industry.
To develop a pipeline of talent for the trading sector, NBS, in partnership with Enterprise Singapore and the trading industry, has launched a new International Trading Programme (ITP). Exclusively offered through the following undergraduate programmes as an additional specialisation or track option, the ITP will provide the key foundation and gateway to attractive careers in the lucrative commodity trading sector and value chain.
Read more: The International Trading Programme provides students from Business, Engineering and Maritime Studies with a multidisciplinary and holistic education in international trade.
Read more: Centre of Excellence International Trading.