MFA Press Statement: State Visit to Singapore by the President of the Republic Of Colombia, His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, 6 to 8 May 2012

The President of the Republic of Colombia His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, who is in Singapore on a State Visit, was officially welcomed by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at a ceremony held at the Istana this morning.  Following the ceremony, President Santos paid a courtesy call on President Tan and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.  During the meetings, President Santos briefed President Tan and PM Lee on developments in Latin America and Colombia, and the country’s upward trajectory, both in terms of security and economic development.  The leaders reaffirmed the friendly relations between Singapore and Colombia, and discussed ways to raise awareness of opportunities in both countries in order to further enhance mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.  President Tan and PM Lee also welcomed Colombia’s interest in the Asia-Pacific, and encouraged closer ties between our two regions.

President Santos, who is accompanied by a business delegation, then attended a business networking luncheon hosted by Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade & Industry of Singapore Mr S Iswaran.  During the lunch, President Santos introduced participating Singapore-based businesses to opportunities in Colombia.  An MOU was also signed during the lunch between International Enterprise Singapore and the National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI) on furthering cooperation.

Earlier in the day, a bilateral Air Services Agreement was also signed separately between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia Her Excellency María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Transport of Singapore Mr Lui Tuck Yew following their bilateral meeting.

President Santos had a new orchid hybrid named in his honour at the National Orchid Garden, the Rhyncattleanthe Juan Manuel Santos Calderón.  President Santos also attended separate briefings held at the Institute of Technical Education (College East) and at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Gallery.

This evening, President and Mrs Tony Tan Keng Yam will host a State Banquet in honour of President Santos and the First Lady of the Republic of Colombia, Mrs María Clemencia Rodríguez de Santos.

President Santos and his delegation will depart Singapore on 8 May 2012.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
7 MAY 2012