Transcript of Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s Interview on the “Good Morning Kuwait” show, Kuwait TV Channel 1, Kuwait, 12 April 2005

(Introduction in Arabic)

Q: "A very good morning to you, Sir, and gives us tremendous honour to have you here on Good Morning Kuwait."

Mr Goh: "Thank you."

Q: "First of all, let's talk about your visit to Kuwait. Is this the first time to visit Kuwait?"

Mr Goh: "No, I've been here twice before. The first time was in the early 1970s. I think before you were born. The second time was in 1981. So, that's a long time ago. This is my third time."

(Translation in Arabic)

Q: "We'll talk more about Kuwait and Singapore. Tell us more about the relationship that we have in all fields."

Mr Goh: "We have very good relations. Your Prime Minister visited Singapore last year, so he invited me to visit Kuwait. And I'm here to strengthen the relations. First, we want to strengthen our political relations. Next, is the economic relations and after that the social relations and cultural relations. For the economic side, we are now negotiating a free trade agreement between us and we are also negotiating the investment chapter in the free trade agreement to protect investments in Kuwait from Singapore and Kuwaiti investments in Singapore."

(Translation in Arabic)

Q: "Your Excellency, we'll talk about the number of recent reports about Singapore and Middle East. We notice that you care more about Middle East recently. So, can you tell us more about this?"

Mr Goh: "Yes, Middle East is undergoing changes. So is Asia, and I hope as Asia and the Middle East change, we can find positive cooperation as we all change and move forward. And next, Middle East is very important region and with the changes taking place in the Middle East, we have got to know the impact of the changes in Middle East for the world and for Asia. And of course, I hope to build stronger relations between the Middle East and Asia. And of course, Kuwait and Singapore."

(Translation in Arabic)

Q: "You will have in next June, "insya-allah", a dialogue between Asia and Middle East and you've invited already 50 countries?"

Mr Goh: "Yes, this is part of forging of relations between Middle East and Asia. We call this the Asia-Middle East Dialogue and some 50 countries will be involved. And we are inviting eminent people - journalists, scholars, officials, Ministers - to take part. So, we hope when they come, we can have a good exchange of views over many issues like political developments in Asia and in the Middle East, social development, economic cooperation agreements and so on."

(Translation in Arabic)

Q: "Can you tell us more about economic relation between Kuwait and Singapore. How can we enrich it more?"

Mr Goh: "That's a very important area for us to develop. At the moment, we buy oil from Kuwait and we sell not very much to Kuwait. So I hope by increasing our relations, we can trade more. But more importantly, we hope to be able to help Kuwait in its economic development. That means to encourage Singaporeans to invest in Kuwait, maybe to help your infrastructural development. But very importantly, we are now discussing the e-government. Singapore is helping Kuwait to develop e-government. And then, of course, we want to encourage Kuwait to invest in Singapore, hoping that your Kuwaiti investment company can set up an office in Singapore. So that's the way we are moving forward."

(Translation in Arabic)

Q: "We wish you a very pleasant stay in Kuwait. And you have any last words to say? Please do so."

Mr Goh: "Well, your people are very hospitable. I find that there have been a lot of changes in Kuwait as compared to my last visit. And I wish the Kuwaiti people well."

Q: "Before we let you go, Your Excellency, tell us more about the tourism in Singapore. You know, Kuwaiti people like to travel a lot to Far East and about the visa?"

Mr Goh: "Yes, they are very welcome to Singapore. We have a much cooler climate than in Kuwait and shopping is abundant, also many things to see like Night Safari, a zoo, a birdpark and very importantly, the people are friendly and they welcome Kuwaitis to Singapore."

(Translation in Arabic)

Q: "Thanks a lot for being with us. It's a pleasure."

Mr Goh: "Most welcome. Thank you."

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/Kuwait TV - Interview transcript-1