ENGAGEMENT OF THE REGION
Central Asia occupies an important geostrategic position between Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Singapore has warm relations with the Central Asian countries. Despite historical, cultural and geographical dissimilarities, Singapore and the Central Asian countries are young nations with common development goals and the desire to build up our human resources. These shared goals have fostered closer relations in recent years, especially with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Singapore holds regular business forums with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Singapore is also negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are members. In October 2019, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the EAEU leaders witness the signing of the Framework and non-Services & Investment Agreements that form part of the EAEU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EAEUSFTA).
Capacity-building is another key area of cooperation. Through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, we have shared our developmental experience with more than 1,200 participants from Central Asia.