President of Singapore Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam is in Poland to boost bilateral trades between the two countries. He is leading a delegation of businessmen, students and representatives of trade agency IE Singapore and Singapore Business Federation (SBF).
Speaking at a tea reception in Warsaw, the President said, “Singapore’s entrepreneurial spirit is well and alive in the central and eastern European region.”
Speaking about the relations between Singapore and Poland, he said, “Ties between Singapore and Poland have gradually strengthened over the years and there is mutual interest to do more.”
The President also reflected on growing people-to-people ties between the two countries citing exchange programmes between Singapore and Poland universities.
He said, “The Singaporean community in Poland is a small one. But this is not a bad thing in itself.”
Tant added, “It is easier for Singaporeans based in Poland to know one another well and stay as a close-knit group. Every Singaporean in Poland plays an even more important role of being Poland’s window into Singapore.”
Bilateral trade between Singapore and Poland amounted to SGD962.1 million in 2016, which had doubled from 10 years ago. Poland is Singapore’s 14th largest EU trading partner. There are also 66 Polish companies in Singapore.
There is a plan for signing of three Memoranda of Understanding at the Poland-Singapore Business Forum.The Polish Investment and Trade Agency will sign partnerships with SBF and IE Singapore to promote information exchange in advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, as well as logistics and infrastructure development.
Singapore research agency A*STAR and the Polish National Centre for Research and Development will also sign an agreement to encourage greater exchange and sharing of scientific knowledge.
President of Singapore Dr Tan arrived in Warsaw on Sunday for the first-ever state visit by a Singapore head of state to Poland. He will be in Poland until Tuesday, after which he will head to the Czech Republic. Dr Tan will leave Czech Republic on Saturday.