MFA Press Statement: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister For Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov Co-Chair The Fourth Session Of The High-Level Russia-Singapore Inter-Governmental Commission 19 June 2013

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        Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam co-chaired the Fourth Session of the High-Level Russia-Singapore Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) with First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Igor Shuvalov in St Petersburg on 19 June 2013. 

        DPM Tharman and DPM Shuvalov took note of the strong and growing bilateral relations between the two countries.  The IGC, which last met in September 2012, had facilitated and promoted cooperation between Singapore and Russia across a broad front, such as in trade and investment, information and communication technology, industrial parks, transport, health care, and education.  A significant development has also been the successful conclusion of air talks in February 2013, which have further liberalised air services between Singapore and Russia.

       In addition to the above, the Co-Chairs welcomed proposals for more business collaboration in specific cities and regions including Moscow, St Petersburg, the Republic of Tatarstan, Krasnoda, Pskov and the Russian Far East.  There was in particular scope for collaboration in the following areas:

·      Changi Airport International's joint ventures with Russian companies to manage Vladivostok International Airport and to operate airports in the Krasnodar region ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014;

·      Urban management and e-Government, including the design of integrated transport systems and intelligent traffic management (discussions with IDA International and ST Electronics);

·      Development and management of Special Economic Zones (involving further engagement by Jurong Consultants in Pskov region and RSP Architects Planners and Engineers in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan); 

·      Development of townships with high quality living environments (e.g. an initiative by joint venture comprising RSP Architects Planners and Engineers and Amtel Properties in Pulkovskie Hills, St Petersburg);

·      Potential for collaboration with the stock exchanges;

·      Healthcare and education, including cooperation between NUS and the Far Eastern Federal University, as well as Educare's efforts in training of master teachers in the Republic of Tatarstan;

·      Tourism and culture.  With respect to cultural exchanges, they welcomed the coming visit of Moscow's renowned Bolshoi Ballet to Singapore in November.

In conjunction with the IGC, DPM Tharman and DPM Shuvalov witnessed the signing of the following Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs):

a.             MOU between IDA International and the Ministry of Informatization and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan, on cooperation in the fields of e-Governance, intelligent traffic systems, public safety, capacity building and development and training.

b.            MOU between ST Electronics and the Ministry of Informatization and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan, on collaboration in the areas of intelligent transport systems, decision support systems, communications and security.

c.             MOU between Jurong Consultants and Moglino SEZ, which expands the established cooperation to develop and manage Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the Pskov region in Russia.

           On the conclusion of the IGC, the co-chairs signed the Joint Statement (attached) and looked forward to the next round of the IGC in Singapore in 2014. 

             DPM Tharman will speak at a panel at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) titled “Making the Tough Decisions in Reforming Global Finance” on 20 June 2013.  Thereafter, DPM Tharman will visit Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, on 21-22 June 2013.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

20 JUNE 2013

 ______________________________

JOINT STATEMENT

OF THE FOURTH SESSION

OF THE HIGH-LEVEL RUSSIA-SINGAPORE

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION

The fourth session of the High-level Russia-Singapore Inter-Governmental Commission (hereinafter referred to as «the Commission») was held in St. Petersburg on the 19^th of June 2013 to promote the development of broad-based cooperation between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Singapore (hereinafter referred to as «the Parties»).

The session was co-chaired by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mr. I. Shuvalov and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The meeting was held in a climate of cordiality, friendliness and mutual understanding.

The agenda is attached as the Annex I.

The lists of the delegations of the Parties are at the Annex II.

The Parties agreed on the following areas of cooperation.

Bilateral Relations between Russia and Singapore

The Parties exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Singapore, and noted the excellent and long-standing friendship between Russia and Singapore which have grown stronger and become more multi-faceted in recent years.  Russia and Singapore share many common interests and cooperate well in various fields and platforms such as the Commission and the Russia-Singapore Business Forum.  Russia and Singapore also work closely at regional forums, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit and the Asia-Europe Meeting.  Singapore thanked Russia for the invitation to attend the G20 Summit in St Petersburg as the representative of the Global Governance Group or 3G, as well as the IMFC Chair, and looks forward to working with Russia this year during its G20 Presidency.  The Parties also noted the successful conclusion of the 7th Singapore-Russia Bilateral Consultations held in Moscow in February 2013, and the official visit to Russia by the Speaker of Parliament of Singapore in April 2013.

The Parties expressed confidence that Russia and Singapore will continue to deepen bilateral cooperation, to facilitate closer links and bring about greater cooperation across diverse fields for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples.  The Parties noted that Russia and Singapore relations have grown beyond the traditional economic collaboration into new areas of cooperation, with good progress made in many diverse fields, including information and communications technology, healthcare, education, social security, culture and tourism.  Singapore appreciates Russia’s support for Singapore’s application for observership in the Arctic Council.  As a new Observer State, Singapore looks forward to working with Russia to participate actively in the Arctic Council and its Working Groups.

The Parties noted that the excellent ties between our two countries are reinforced by the regular exchange of high-level visits and exchanges between our officials.  In this regard, the Parties welcomed the finalization of the text of the Agreement on Mutual Exemption from Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Official and Service passports, which will be a good first step to facilitate contacts between our peoples.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

The Parties emphasized the potential for further intensification of economic cooperation and business ties. The Parties also noted the importance of diversification of Russian-Singapore trade structure and economic cooperation.

The Parties noted the cooperation of Administration of Pskov Region and OJSC SEZ PPT «Moglino» with Singapore company «Jurong Consultants» on the development and management of special economic zone of industrial type «Moglino» in Pskov Region.

The Parties noted with satisfaction the signing on the 20^th of December 2012 of the Key Terms for further cooperation on the project Special economic zone of industrial type «Moglino» between the management company of the Special Economic Zone of industrial type «Moglino» and the Singapore company «Jurong Consultants» and expressed their intention to continue the productive cooperation in the field of special economic zones.

Both Parties also noted that «Jurong Consultants» has extended its cooperation and sharing of experience in developing Science and Innovation Parks with «TOMSK SEZ Management Company». Under the collaboration, the Strategic Positioning, Conceptual Master Plan and Conceptual Infrastructure Plan for the ‘extension’ of the existing TOMSK SEZ have been completed in March 2013. «TOMSK SEZ Management Company» has further commissioned «Jurong Consultants» for the detailed Master Planning Services for the same site. Both companies have expressed further intent to extend «Jurong Consultants»’s engagement to provide Development Management Advisory to the SEZ Management Company.

The Parties noted that «Olam» started its Russia office in 2005, and made its first investment in agriculture and dairy farming in Russia in 2012 by acquiring a 75 percent stake in «RUSMOLCO». «RUSMOLCO» employs 870 people, with 137,000 hectares of arable land and 9,000 cows over seven farms. «Olam» expressed its intent to develop the land to its full potential and increase the number of milking cows by investing in new dairy farms.

The Parties noted the progress of cooperation between Innopolis City in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, and «RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd» in terms of the Innopolis project. The further plans of relationship on this project also imply the beginning of cooperation with companies involved in project development, investment and property management.

The Singapore Party noted the development of the agricultural sector of the Russian Far East, including the intention to create an Agropark in the Amur region, and has facilitated the Russian Party to meet with Singapore companies to interest Singapore companies to participate in these developments. The Parties agreed to continue the exchange of information and increase Singapore companies’ awareness of the opportunities in the agricultural sector of the Russian Far East.

Both Parties welcomed the signing of a new agreement between Changi Airports International and The Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund, the Administration of Primorsk Region and Vnesheconombank on 20 June 2013. Under this agreement, Changi Airports International will partner The Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund to manage Vladivostok International Airport. The Parties noted the growing economic significance of the Far East and Russia’s plans to develop the area in the vicinity of the airport and the city into an integrated resort and entertainment hub.

The Parties noted with interest «Amtel Properties» and «RSP Architects Planner & Engineers (Pte) Ltd» to collaborate with relevant Agencies and Organizations in St. Petersburg to create master-plans to build multi-functional residential clusters and to create affordable housing of high standards.

The Parties agreed that the full involvement of the potentials of the Russian chamber of commerce, the Singapore Business Federation, the Russia-Singapore Business Council and the Business Council for Cooperation with ASEAN countries, uniting the Russian entrepreneurs working in the region through the institutions of multilateral cooperation, will promote further development of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Singapore.

The Parties recognised the efforts of the Russian-Singapore Business Council to increase and promote bilateral business cooperation and implementation of joint innovative, investment and trade projects, and to establish closer ties with the Singapore Business Federation.

The Parties expressed their intention to pay special attention to interaction in order to develop future cooperation between regions of the Russian Federation and Singapore.

The Parties supported further cooperation between Russian companies and Singaporean partners in the oil and gas and petrochemicals industries.

 The Parties expressed interest to work together to promote LNG-related activities between commercial entities from both countries. 

The Parties expressed their interest in further cooperation in the field of energy efficiency and energy conservation, including the development and application of energy-efficient technologies.

The Parties agreed that the sphere of energy efficiency and energy conservation is important and mutual partnership in this area can contribute to the effective modernization of the economies of the Parties.

Cooperation in the Field of Urban Development

The Parties noted the importance of urban development in creating liveable cities. To address the pressure of population growth and traffic congestion, Moscow City aspires to have a Master Plan to guide the city development and expansion.

Separately but sharing the same objective, Moscow City and its relevant agencies also envision to develop approximately 50 «Integrated Park and Ride Transport Interchange Hubs» to address traffic congestion in the City, inspired by similar developments in Singapore.

Both Parties supported the Singapore company «RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd» to collaborate with relevant Agencies and Organisations in Moscow City and Moscow Region to create the «Master Plan for Moscow» and «the Integrated Park and Ride Transport Interchange Hubs».

Cooperation in the Field of Information Technologies

The Parties noted with satisfaction the growing bilateral engagements.

The Singaporean party expressed appreciation to the Russian party for hosting study visits and business missions which provided Singapore Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies the platforms to explore collaborative opportunities with their Russian counterparts.

The Singaporean party welcomed and hosted Russian office holders, government officials as well as private sector professionals from the Moscow, Republic of Bashkortostan and Volgograd, and Sakhalin Regions on training and exchange programmes where government agencies, institutions and private entities from Singapore shared on technical skills and best practices.

The Parties stressed the potential for intensifying cooperation and expressed commitment to join efforts in completing the Road Map of Russian-Singapore cooperation in the ICT sphere.

The parties expressed satisfaction with signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Informatization and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan and IDA International in accelerating Republic of Tatarstan e-Government programme and in the development of E-government projects such as system implementation for construction permit, business registration and licensing systems, intelligent traffic system and public safety and capacity building and development /training.

The parties expressed satisfaction with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Informatization and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan and ST Electronics to collaborate in areas such as intelligent transport system, mission-critical decision support systems, communications, and security. The MOU will pave the way for ST Electronics to bring both hardware and software to two projects - Kazan Smart City and Innopolis.

Cooperation in Industry

The Russian party expressed its interest in establishing mutually beneficial relations with Singaporean party in the field of supplying aircraft equipments.

The Parties recommended the concerned Russian and Singapore authorities to provide necessary support to the interested parties in finding of business partners and realization of concrete projects of bilateral cooperation.

The Russian party informed the Singapore party about the readiness of the JSC «Russian Helicopters» to develop cooperation with the interested Singapore government and commercial organizations regarding deliveries of Russian civil helicopters with their technical support and establishing of the training center with the necessary training simulators.

Cooperation in Transport

The Parties are keen to grow air connectivity between the Russian Federation and Singapore, through and beyond third countries, and congratulate their aeronautical authorities on the successful outcome of the bilateral air services consultations, which was held in Singapore from 28 February 2013 to 1 March 2013.  Apart from updating the text of the bilateral Air Services Agreement, both sides had also expanded market access between both countries:  any number of air carriers of both countries can now operate any number of air services using any aircraft type between the Russian Federation and Singapore, with Singapore carriers being granted access to more cities in the Russian Federation. Both aeronautical authorities had also discussed and would consider a further opening up of market access via third countries between the Russian Federation and Singapore and beyond the Russian Federation and Singapore to third countries at future rounds of air services consultations.

The Parties noted with satisfaction, that the joint venture between Basic Element group, Sberbank and Changi Airports International established in 2012 to operate airports, continues to develop regional airports and increase passenger traffic.

The Parties welcomed further expansion of this partnership as part of the development of a regional airports program with assistance from the Ministry of the Transport of Russian Federation.

The Parties supported the objectives of the joint venture, which focuses on ensuring high quality of service to passengers and airlines for the period of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi 2014, as well as further development of the joint venture through investment in the construction and management of other regional airports with passenger traffic of over 0.5 million passengers a year.

The Parties noted the importance of the modernization of regional transport infrastructure and areas around airports to boost development of regional airports and liberalization of regional and international traffic.

Cooperation in Science and Education

The Parties affirmed their intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation in education, science and innovation by providing assistance to scientific organizations, universities and companies of both countries.

The Russian party informed the Singapore party about the Russian Government’s willingness to fund a number of Singaporean citizens to pursue higher education in Russian universities and encouraged Singaporean citizens to take up the offer.  Both Parties were satisfied with the increased awareness of the Russian higher education sector through an exhibition – Career and Education 2013 – held in Singapore (March 1-3, 2013), with participation from leading Russian universities.

The further development of bilateral cooperation in the educational sphere will be enhanced through direct collaborations between interested organizations of both Parties, including contacts between the Far Eastern Federal University (Vladivostok) and the National University of Singapore.

Both Parties agreed to the importance of establishing proper legal frameworks, including intellectual property rights, for sustainable scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries.

The Parties placed an emphasis on strengthening cooperation in the field of innovation, welcoming participation of the Singapore technological companies in Russian projects, particularly from Skolkovo Innovation Centre and the University of Science and Technology projects.

The Parties agreed to exchange best practices in higher education administration aiming to enhance global competitiveness of the universities and to improve the quality of our higher education sectors.

The Parties noted with satisfaction the active cooperation in in-service teacher and educational leadership training in the last two years between the Republic of Tatartsan’s Institute of Educational Development and Singapore company «Educare International Consultancy Pte Ltd». There will be further development of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of in-service professional development of teachers and educational leaders through direct partnerships between «Educare International Consultancy Ltd» and other organizations of the state.

Cooperation in the Field of Tourism

The Parties noted the importance of driving tourism revenue for the economic growth of both countries.

The Parties agreed to continue the work in the following spheres of cooperation:

-         exchange of statistics and other information in the sphere of tourism;

-         exchange of experience in training of personnel in the sphere of tourism;

-         exchange of information on the new investment projects in the sphere of tourism;

-         assistance in promoting the national tourist products on their respective territories in particular assistance for the Russian and Singaporean tourism organizations in participating in international tourism exhibitions/fairs and other events held with the support of the national tourism administrations.

-         gradual and calibrated liberalization towards visa restrictions.

The Parties emphasized the opportunities of cooperation within the international organizations such as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Cooperation in Healthcare and Social Security

The Parties agreed to explore possibilities to develop cooperation in the spheres of healthcare and professional medical education. Singapore reaffirmed its interest in sharing and exchanging experiences, including:

(a) Short-term study visit of Russian health officials and experts to Singapore to study the Singapore healthcare system and regulations on various topics;

b) Invitation of Singapore experts to speak at international conferences organised by Russia MOH, wherever appropriate; and

c) Possible development of cooperation in the field of professional medical education.

The Parties agreed to share experiences on social security, including areas such as Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) collection system and how the CPF provides not only for retirement, but also for housing and healthcare needs.

 Cooperation in Culture and People-to-People Interactions

 The Parties noted the ongoing discussions on the proposed establishment of a Russian Cultural Centre in Singapore, that includes a Russian Orthodox Church, and encouraged the responsible agencies of the two countries to facilitate a positive outcome.  The Parties looked forward to the establishment of the Russian Cultural Centre, which will add a new positive dimension to Russia-Singapore bilateral relations, promote further people-to-people contacts and raise Russia’s profile in Singapore and the region.

The Parties noted the positive cultural exchanges and collaborations that have taken place and emphasized the potential for further intensification of cultural relations and people-to-people ties. The Parties expressed mutual interest in enhancing bilateral cultural relations and in providing financial support and assistance to facilitate the exchange of art exhibitions, performances of creative groups, skills development and other activities in the field of cultural collaboration on the basis of reciprocity.

Fifth session of the Commission

The Parties expressed their satisfaction with the results of the Fourth Session of the Commission and agreed to hold the Fifth Session of the Commission in Singapore in 2014. The specific dates and venue of the Fifth Session of the Commission will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.

Done in St. Petersburg on the 19^th of June 2013, in duplicate, in the Russian and English languages, both versions being equally authentic.