MFA Press Statement: Visit of Chairman of the Federative Republic of Brazil Senate Committee of External Relations and National Defence, Ricardo De Rezende Ferraco, 6 to 10 January 2014

            Chairman of the Senate Committee of External Relations and National Defence of the Federative Republic of Brazil Senator Ricardo de Rezende Ferraco was hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam today.  During the lunch, Senator Ferraco and Minister Shanmugam reaffirmed the strong relations between Brazil and Singapore, and welcomed the growing cooperation between Brazil and Singapore, which will be facilitated by the recent signing of the Singapore-Brazil Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Profits Derived from International Air and Shipping Transport.  Senator Ferraco and Minister Shanmugam also exchanged views on developments in Latin America and Asia.  Earlier today, Senator Ferraco also called on Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew.                   

            Senator Ferraco is in Singapore from 6 – 10 January 2014 under the S R Nathan Fellowship at the invitation of Minister Shanmugam.  The S R Nathan Fellowship is a high level programme through which foreign leaders, prominent personalities and opinion-shapers are invited to Singapore to exchange ideas and experiences on current and long term challenges with Singapore leaders and senior government officials.  The Fellowship was launched by Minister Shanmugam and former President S R Nathan in November 2012.

              During his visit, Senator Ferraco will also call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and be hosted to lunch by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Hawazi Daipi.  In addition, Senator Ferraco will receive briefings by Changi Airport International, PSA International, the Economic Development Board (EDB), Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).   

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

6 JANUARY 2014