25-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) Singapore and Qatar are set to enhance their collaboration in various sectors, allowing technology start-ups from both countries easier access to each other’s markets. The two nations recently signed five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in social development and family, education, water-related research, enterprise digitalization and innovation, as well as commercial partnerships.
The agreements were signed during the official visit of Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to Singapore. Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, witnessed the signing of the five MOUs.
This visit marks Sheikh Mohammed’s first official trip to Singapore as the prime minister, and it comes as a result of an invitation extended by PM Lee. The Qatari leader received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana before engaging in meetings with President Halimah Yacob and PM Lee, who hosted an official lunch in his honor.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated that President Halimah and Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the warm and longstanding ties between Qatar and Singapore. The MFA highlighted the progress made in bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas like food security and innovation, following President Halimah’s state visit to Qatar in June 2023.
During their discussions, PM Lee and Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between Qatar and Singapore in key areas, including energy, trade and investment, as well as counter-radicalization. The MFA noted that both nations face similar challenges as small states and can learn from each other’s experiences. They agreed that closer collaboration would help strengthen the linkages between Southeast Asia and the Gulf.
As a gesture of appreciation, Sheikh Mohammed had a new orchid hybrid named after him during his visit, according to the MFA.
Among the five agreements signed, one involved Enterprise Singapore and the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar. The two agencies will work together to promote commercial cooperation and identify opportunities for companies and start-ups in Singapore and Qatar. The partnership will focus on areas such as smart cities, transport and logistics, energy, manufacturing, and digitalization.
Enterprise Singapore also signed an agreement with the Qatar Development Bank to facilitate market access for companies and start-ups in both countries, with a specific focus on digital technology, fintech, and innovation.
Another agreement was reached between Singapore’s national water agency PUB and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI). This agreement aims to foster knowledge exchange and explore joint research programs in the water sector. As part of the MOU, the QRDI will organize delegations from Qatar to participate in the Singapore International Water Week, a global biennial event for the water industry. The remaining two agreements involved Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and Ministry of Education (MOE), as well as their respective Qatari counterparts.
The agreement between MSF and Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family will facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices in policies and programs related to children, women, families, and people with disabilities. On the other hand, MOE and Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education agreed to launch a program aimed at enhancing education cooperation through information exchanges in areas such as curriculum and assessment.
On the agenda for Friday is the 8th Qatar-Singapore High-Level Joint Committee (HLJC) meeting, co-chaired by Sheikh Mohammed and Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. Established in 2006, the HLJC serves as a key platform for charting the strategic direction of Qatar-Singapore relations.
Sheikh Mohammed will also deliver the inaugural International Institute for Strategic Studies Raffles Lecture, where he will discuss “Small States: Strategies for Success in a Competitive World.”
