MFA Press Statement: Official Visit to Singapore by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of the Republic of Ecuador, His Excellency Ricardo Patino Aroca, 27 June 2013

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of the Republic of Ecuador, His Excellency Ricardo Patino Aroca, is making an official visit to Singapore on 27 June 2013 at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam.  This will be the first visit by an Ecuadorian Foreign Minister to Singapore.  Minister Patino will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility and the National Secretariat for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ecuador (SENESCYT).  

Minister Patino paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam this afternoon.  Prior to their meeting, both Ministers signed an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTA).  The agreement will encourage and facilitate cross-border trade and investment between Singapore and Ecuador.  It also includes the internationally agreed Standard for the Exchange of Information for tax purposes.

Minister Patino and Minister Shanmugam also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Singapore and Ecuador.  Both Ministers agreed that the MOU would provide a platform to promote mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and strengthen ties between the two Ministries.

Following the call, Minister Patino will meet with International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Chief Executive Officer Teo Eng Cheong, and they will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding to promote economic cooperation between the two parties, particularly in the sharing of experiences, technical knowledge, and best practices in the logistics and transport sector.  Minister Patino will also be meeting with Jurong Consultants Group President and Chief Executive Officer Tang Tat Kwong.

Minister Patino will depart Singapore tonight.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
27 JUNE 2013