MFA Press Statement: Sub-Saharan Africa High Level Ministerial Exchange Visit, 25 to 26 August 2014, Singapore

               A delegation of Ministers and Senior Officials from seven Sub-Saharan African countries (Angola, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe), made a joint call on Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong this morning at the Istana. 

               During the call, the Ministers and Senior Officials briefed PM Lee on the economic transformation that had been taking place in Africa, the priorities of their respective governments, as well as the challenges they faced from rapid urbanisation.  They highlighted a number of areas where they could learn from Singapore’s development experience, particularly in areas such as education, development of human capital, and urban planning.  They also hoped to see greater connectivity between Singapore and Africa, in order to improve people-to-people exchanges and tourism flows. 

               PM Lee and the Ministers and Senior Officials exchanged views on how Singapore and Africa could engage each other more.  PM Lee noted that Africa was a continent on the move, and Singapore would like to be part of Africa’s growth story.  Singapore companies were showing interest in the continent and in this regard, PM Lee expressed hope that the upcoming 3^rd Africa-Singapore Business Forum organised by IE Singapore (27 to 28 August 2014) would help Singapore and African companies connect and identify joint business opportunities. 

               Following the joint call with PM Lee, the delegates visited the Hyflux Innovation Centre.  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam will host an official dinner for the delegates tonight. 

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singapore

26 August 2014