MFA Press Statement: Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s meetings in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 7 – 8 January 2012

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong visited Riyadh from 7-8 January 2012. ESM met Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah and was hosted to lunch by Saudi Minister of Petroleum Ali bin Ibrahim Al Naimi yesterday. ESM and the Saudi Ministers discussed geopolitical developments in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's domestic challenges, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.

ESM met Saudi Finance Minister Dr Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Assaf earlier today. ESM and Minister Al Assaf discussed the situation in the Eurozone and other international financial developments. Minister Al Assaf also briefed ESM on Saudi Arabia's progress in the financial sector and sought ESM's views on developments in East Asia. ESM and Minister Al Assaf agreed that there is potential for both countries to further enhance cooperation in the financial sector, and to collaborate to seek out economic opportunities in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

ESM also called on the Chairman of the Shura Council Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh today. Dr Al Sheikh briefed ESM on the domestic and international challenges confronting Saudi Arabia and the Shura Council's role in helping the Saudi Government address these issues. He also met the Chairman of Riyad Bank Rashed Abdulaziz Al-Rashed, and will meet the Saudi Co-Chair of the Singapore-Saudi Business Council Sheikh Abdullah Zaid Al Meleihi and be hosted to dinner by Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company HRH Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud .

ESM leaves for Jeddah tomorrow. ESM is visiting Saudi Arabia as part of our efforts to maintain bilateral relations with a key partner in the Middle East. ESM is accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monetary Authority of Singapore and International Enterprise Singapore.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 JANUARY 2012