MFA Press Statement: Caribbean Community (CARICOM) High-Level Ministerial Exchange Visit in Singapore (15 to 19 July 2013)

            Ministers and senior officials from 10 Caribbean countries (Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago) and the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today at the Istana. 

           The CARICOM delegates are in Singapore for the inaugural CARICOM High-Level Ministerial Exchange Visit from 15 to 19 July 2013. 

            During their meeting, Prime Minister Lee and the CARICOM delegations exchanged views on developments in the Caribbean and Asia, and how Singapore and CARICOM countries could collaborate bilaterally, between both regions, and in multilateral platforms.  They agreed that Singapore and the Caribbean countries enjoy excellent relations, and share common interests as small states.  In this regard, there are many areas we could enhance cooperation bilaterally, through the CARICOM Secretariat, and at international fora such as the United Nations (UN), Forum of Small States (FOSS), Global Governance Group (3G), and Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). 

            During their week-long customised visit, the CARICOM delegates were hosted to meals by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam; Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan; Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew; Minister in Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu; Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan; Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli; and Minister of State for Transport and Finance Josephine Teo.  The CARICOM delegates also attended briefings by various Ministries and government agencies, as well as visited sites such as the NEWater Visitor Centre, Pinnacle@Duxton, and Marina Barrage, to gain a better understanding of Singapore’s development experience.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singapore

19 July 2013