MFA Press Statement: State Visit of His Excellency Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation, 11 to 13 July 2016

                President of the Swiss Confederation His Excellency Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, who is on a State Visit to Singapore, received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana today.  Following the ceremony, President Schneider-Ammann called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.  President Tan and President Schneider-Ammann reaffirmed the strong ties between both countries and exchanged views on recent global developments.  They noted that Singapore and Switzerland will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2017.  Prime Minister Lee and President Schneider-Ammann similarly welcomed the warm bilateral ties, and exchanged views on regional and international developments.

                This afternoon, President Schneider-Ammann delivered the keynote address at the Switzerland-Singapore Business Forum: “SkillsFuture – Developing A Future Ready Workforce” alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Shangri-La Hotel.  President Schneider-Ammann also had separate meetings with DPM Tharman and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang.  The conversations focussed on economic cooperation between Switzerland and Singapore and Singapore’s developmental strategies.

                Earlier today, President Schneider-Ammann visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens where an orchid, Dendrobium Johann N Schneider-Ammann, was named in his honour. 

                This evening, President Tan will host a State Banquet in honour of President Schneider-Ammann and the Swiss delegation.  President Schneider-Ammann departs Singapore tomorrow morning.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE

12 JULY 2016