BY ALEXANDER WOODMAN
Saudi Arabia and Singapore have long been trading partners. Besides the existing bilateral trade areas, what is your vision for additional areas of cooperation that can be successfully implemented? What is the potential of Saudi investments in Singapore, and vice versa?
We want to continue to promote excellent relations between Singapore and Saudi Arabia. This should not just be between our leaders and governments, but also between our people and businesses. We want to explore and develop more opportunities and avenues for collaboration and engagement.
Singapore may be a little red dot on the map, but we are the 35th largest economy and 12th largest trader of goods and services in the world. Saudi Arabia is our second-largest trading partner in the Middle East, and our 17th largest in the world in 2019. Our bilateral trade reached over US$9.1 billion last year. Singapore companies such as PSA International, ST Engineering, and SATS Ltd have established major operations in Saudi Arabia. Saudi household names like ARAMCO and SABIC have trading hubs and manufacturing facilities in Singapore.
The global health situation has pushed businesses to think out of the box and explore new areas of collaboration. For example, we are actively working on new trade flows between Singapore and Saudi Arabia, starting with food products. Our Prime Minister recently highlighted in a speech that we are now importing shrimp from Saudi Arabia. Singapore also hopes to export Halal Asian food to Saudi Arabia. Beyond agri-food cooperation, there is also increased interest among Singapore SMEs and start-ups to explore opportunities in the digital economy and Industry 4.0 space, including Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things, in Saudi Arabia.
His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Thousands of Muslims from Singapore visit Saudi Arabia every year for their Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. We hope that such exchanges will continue after international travel has resumed and the global health situation has stabilised. Saudi Arabia offers so much beyond the religious cities. There are major archaeological sites, breathtaking desert sceneries, and the pristine Red Sea coast. Many Saudis have also been visiting Singapore too as we eased visa requirements. Visitor arrivals in both directions were shooting up until they were halted suddenly by the pandemic lockdown. We look forward to the day when we can resume normal travel.
In November 2019, President Halimah Yacub paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia at King Salman’s invitation. What is the significance of this visit to bilateral relations? How can the cordial relations between the country leaders influence on people-to-people connections?
We were delighted that President Halimah Yacob was able to make Singapore’s first State Visit to Saudi Arabia last November at King Salman’s invitation. President Halimah had a very good meeting with King Salman, who awarded her the King Abdulaziz Medal, the highest civilian decoration in Saudi Arabia. It was also especially meaningful for President Halimah to have been granted special access to the Holy Kaaba and the Rawdah at Masjid Nabawi.
The visit was an opportunity for leaders on both sides to discuss concrete plans to bolster our multifaceted engagement, including via the establishment of a joint committee for regular consultations between Singapore and Saudi government agencies, and the reinvigoration of a business council to encourage better exchanges between Singapore and Saudi companies. On our end, it was also an opportunity for President Halimah to express our appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s good work in taking care of our pilgrims, and to also discuss how Singapore can contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda and G20 Presidency in 2020.
We believe the positive engagement between our leaders will encourage both sides to further deepen our linkages and constructively contribute to the bilateral relationship.
Speaking of a vision, please describe how the Singapore government perceives the Saudi Vision 2030. What sectors do you think can be successfully developed in the Kingdom and foster its economy? Where do you see Singapore’s contribution to this initiative?
Singapore welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation plans. This vital and bold initiative builds on Saudi Arabia’s strong development base to ensure the Kingdom’s socio-economic resilience in the long term. Singapore stands ready to support Vision 2030 reforms in its various areas of focus, including in the ICT, FinTech and tourism sectors.
The GCC-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, signed on December 15th 2008, is considered an important step in strengthening ties between the GCC countries and Singapore. Which particular segments and regional projects have benefited from this agreement? How would you evaluate the outcomes of this Free Trade Agreement after 12 years?
The Singapore-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is the first FTA that the GCC has signed with a non-Middle East country. It has helped to raise awareness of opportunities in the GCC markets and allows companies and consumers from both countries to enjoy a broader range of tariff-free products. The GSFTA has also opened the door for Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries not only to expand trade with Singapore, but also to partner Singapore to engage key economies in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
2020 will remain in the history of humanity as a year of combating the COVID-19 pandemic, not with medicine, but with solidarity. Please tell us about your understanding of solidarity and wise leadership during such global crises.
A coordinated global health approach, led by the World Health Organization, is key to overcoming COVID-19. International cooperation to find a viable vaccine is the only long-term solution to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. My Prime Minister has urged the world to engage in “vaccine multilateralism” to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
In this context, Singapore strongly supports initiatives like the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility. We are also encouraged that Saudi Arabia has leveraged its G20 2020 Presidency to rally the international community to tackle COVID-19. The G20 has pledged over US$21 billion to support funding in global health to combat the pandemic, with Saudi Arabia contributing US$500 million to this effort. As a Guest Country of the G20 2020, Singapore appreciates and supports Saudi Arabia’s exemplary leadership.
The Embassy of Singapore is located in the Diplomatic Quarter. In your opinion, how does the concept of Diplomatic Quarter contribute and strengthen bilateral relations of foreign missions with KSA?
The vibrant environment of the DQ has helped me to forge many valuable friendships here. I am touched by the warm welcome extended to me by my Saudi friends and diplomatic colleagues who live here. We are also just a short drive to the Saudi MOFA and other Ministries, and an even shorter hop or walk to visit our fellow diplomatic missions.
One of the most important features of the Diplomatic Quarter is that it is very safe and, at the same time, a pleasant place. That is why I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia for hosting the Singapore Embassy in the DQ.
What is the daily routine of the Singapore Ambassador in DQ? What are your favourite places of leisure in DQ?
Beyond my diplomatic activities and responsibilities, I enjoy jogging or walking in Boedeker Park, and cycling along the trails at Wadi Hanifah. On weekends, my companion is my bicycle, as I love to ride the trails amidst the splendid nature of the Kingdom, which is masterfully preserved at the DQ. Do wave if you see me cycling around the DQ perimeter.
I would like to also mention Oud Square, which is right in front of the Singapore Embassy, where we often go for lunch or coffee. In winter, when live performances and concerts take place in Oud Square, many people gather to enjoy the cheerful and active atmosphere of the DQ. I have the pleasure to have attended some of these performances.
Embassy of Singapore
Operating Hours:
8.00 am to 3.30 pm (Sun – Thurs)
Fri & Sat – Closed
Contact No: +966-11-480-3855
Email: singemb_ruh@mfa.sg
Website: https://www.mfa.gov.sg/riyadh
