MFA Press Statement:: Working Visit by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mr Ali Babacan, 7- 9 March 2012

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mr Ali Babacan is on a working visit to Singapore from 7 to 9 March 2012. He is accompanied by Undersecretary for the Treasury Mr İbrahim Halil Çanakçı, Deputy Governor of the Turkish Central Bank Mr Turalay Kenç, and other officials from the Treasury and his Cabinet.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister, Minster for Finance and Minister for Manpower Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam hosted Mr Babacan and his delegation to lunch. Mr Babacan also held separate meetings with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam and Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Lim Hng Kiang, and paid a courtesy call on President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

During the meetings, the leaders acknowledged the excellent state of bilateral relations between Singapore and Turkey. They agreed to further deepen bilateral cooperation across different sectors including trade, investments and finance. Mr Babacan warmly welcomed Singapore's intention to open an Embassy in Ankara later in 2012. They also exchanged views on regional developments in Asia and the Middle East.

Tomorrow, Mr Babacan will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and attend the Turkey-Singapore Business Forum, jointly organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey and the Singapore Business Federation.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 MARCH 2012