MFA Press Statement: Official Visit by the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force, His Highness Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, 13 - 16 October 2008

The Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force, His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa is visiting Singapore from 13 to 16 October 2008 at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,

This morning, Crown Prince Shaikh Salman met with President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana. He was also hosted to lunch by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. After lunch, Crown Prince Shaikh Salman visited the Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) where, together with the Chairman of SGX, Mr J Y Pillay, he witnessed the signing of an MOU between SGX and the Bahrain Stock Exchange. After his meeting with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in the afternoon, Crown Prince Shaikh Salman and his delegation will attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.

Crown Prince Shaikh Salman and our leaders had frank and substantive exchanges of views. They discussed the current global financial turmoil and its impact on the Middle East and Asia as well as regional developments. Both sides agreed that as small countries, Singapore and Bahrain faced common challenges. In this context, our leaders welcomed Crown Prince Shaikh Salman's interest to draw lessons from Singapore's experiences. Both sides also reiterated their commitment to enhance and expand bilateral cooperation.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 OCTOBER 2008