MFA Press Statement: Singapore and the World Bank Signed A Memorandum of Understanding on Collaboration on Learning and Knowledge-Sharing Programs in Human Development in Africa

The Government of Singapore and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") for collaborative programmes in human resource development in the African Region which came into effect on 14 December 2006. The MOU was signed by Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs) Mr Peter Ho and World Bank Vice President (Africa Region) Mr Gobind Nankani.

Under the MOU, Singapore and the World Bank will jointly conduct technical training courses and study visit programmes for government officials from African countries as well as share knowledge and expertise through staff exchange programmes. The MOU will provide opportunities for Singapore agencies such as International Enterprise of Singapore and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to collaborate with the World Bank in relevant development projects in Africa involving our public and private sectors.

Singapore and the World Bank enjoy longstanding and warm cooperative ties. We have worked together since 1996 to help developing countries under the Singapore-World Bank Third Country Training Programme (TCTP), which is part of the overall Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). The SCP is administered by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under this TCTP, Singapore and the World Bank provided joint training for developing countries in numerous fields such as education, environmental management, finance and banking, urban development, IT and hospital reform. (Please see Annex A for information on SCP)