OUR VISION

To be an excellent Foreign Service that safeguards and advances Singapore’s interests.OUR MISSION

MFA is committed to:Contributing to the formulation and implementation of Singapore’s foreign policy to advance our national interests.

Making friends and being a responsible and constructive member of the international community, including sharing Singapore’s developmental experience with other countries.

Providing efficient and responsive consular assistance to Singaporeans at home and abroad.

Pictured here is “Singa”, one of a pair of handcrafted stone sculptures from Bali. The mythical creatures stand guard at the Old Tanglin Officers’ Mess (OTOM) Entrance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, where guests are received.

OUR HISTORY

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was established in 1965, the same year as Singapore’s independence. Led by the first Foreign Minister Mr S Rajaratnam, the challenge facing the Ministry was to expand Singapore’s international space and safeguard Singapore’s sovereignty. It therefore sought to win international recognition and promote friendly relations with other countries. From six overseas missions in 1966, the Ministry today has 49 overseas missions worldwide. Singapore’s international standing has gone from strength to strength. It has also contributed constructively to regional and global development while participating in various humanitarian efforts.

1960s 9 August 1965 Independence of Singapore. Formation of MFA. Mr S Rajaratnam is appointed Singapore’s first Foreign Minister.

21 September 1965 Singapore is admitted as the 117th member of the United Nations.

15 October 1965 Singapore is admitted as the 22nd member of the Commonwealth.

17 January 1966Singapore signs the convention on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and becomes a member of the IMO.

3 August 1966 Singapore officially becomes the 104th member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

8 August 1967 Founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The ASEAN Declaration is signed in Bangkok.

1970sSeptember 1970 Singapore is admitted into the Non-Aligned Movement.

14-22 January 1971 Singapore hosts the 18th Conference of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

15-16 April 1971 Ministers of the governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom establish a new defence mechanism called the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

20 July 1973 Singapore joins the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

23-24 February 1976 The first ASEAN Summit is held in Bali, Indonesia. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia is signed by all ASEAN Heads of State and Government. An ASEAN Secretariat is also established.

1978 A watershed year for ASEAN marked by its official recognition as an important regional organisation by the major powers. The first minister-level meetings of the ASEAN-US dialogue are held in August 1978 and the ASEAN-EEC dialogue takes place in November 1978.

1980s1 June 1980 Mr S Dhanabalan becomes Foreign Minister.

March 1981 Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tommy Koh, assumes the Presidency of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

13 September 1988 Mr Wong Kan Seng becomes Foreign Minister.

6-7 November 1989 Singapore joins the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and attends the grouping’s first Ministerial Meeting held in Canberra, Australia.

1990s3 October 1990 Singapore establishes diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.

1992 Launch of the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

January 1992 Singapore hosts the 4th ASEAN Summit, which agrees to launch the ASEAN Free Trade Area.

11 February 1993 The APEC Secretariat is established in Singapore.

1994 ASEAN creates the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

2 January 1994 Prof S Jayakumar becomes Foreign Minister.

26 February 1994 Singapore and China sign the Agreement on the Joint Delvelopment of Suzhou Industrial Township.

1 September 1999 Singapore hosts the inaugural meeting of the East Asia-Latin America Forum (EALAF) for senior officials of the 27 participating countries. (The EALAF was renamed the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) in 2001.)

2000s 2000 Singapore launches the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) to assist the integration of new member countries, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV), into ASEAN. The flagship project is the setting up of a training center in each of the CLMV countries.

10 October 2000 Singapore is elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the 55th session of the UN General Assembly.

14 November 2000 Singapore signs the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP). It is Singapore’s first bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

1 January 2001Singapore starts its first two-year term in the United Nations Security Council.

26 June 2002Singapore concludes an FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This is the first FTA between an European regional grouping and an Asian country.

6 May 2003Singapore concludes and signs the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA). This is the first FTA between the US and an East Asian country.

7 October 2003The 9th ASEAN Summit in Bali agrees to establish an ASEAN Community.

13 August 2004Mr George Yeo becomes Foreign Minister.

MFA LANDMARK EVENTS

28 April 2005Singapore signs the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP).

20-22 June 2005 Singapore hosts the inaugural Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED).

29 June 2005 Singapore signs the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)with India. It is India’s first ever CECA, and Singapore’s first comprehensive bilateral economic agreement with a South Asian economy.

17 November 2005ASEAN and the US issue the Joint Vision Statement to launch the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership.

19-20 September 2006Singapore hosts the IMF-World Bank Meetings.

14 January 2007ASEAN signs the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

15 January 2007ASEAN signs a Free Trade Agreement in services with China.

4-6 September 2007Singapore hosts the IMO Meeting which establishes the Co-operative Mechanism for Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

18 November 2007 Singapore and China sign the Framework Agreement on the Development of An Eco-City in the People’s Republic of China.

18-21 November 2007 Singapore hosts the 13th ASEAN Summit. During the Summit, ASEAN Leaders sign the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint. With the Charter, ASEAN moves a step closer towards becoming a more rules-based and effective regional grouping, while the Blueprint guides ASEAN towards the realisation of a single market and production base by 2015.

7 January 2008 Singapore is the first ASEAN country to ratify the ASEAN Charter.

23 May 2008The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awards the sovereignty of Pedra Branca to Singapore.

15 December 2008The ASEAN Charter officially enters into force at a special gathering of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers held at the ASEAN Secretariat.

10 March 2009 Singapore and Indonesia sign treaty related to the Delimitation of the Territorial Seas of the Two Countries in the Western Part of the Strait of Singapore.

9 May 2009 President S R Nathan’s State Visit to Japan. This is the first State Visit by a Singapore President to Japan.

2 August 2009 MFA launches new eRegister portal.

08 November 2009 Singapore hosts APEC 2009, followed by the 1st ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting.

2010 till Present 03 January 2010 Singapore opens Consulate-General in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

11 January 2010 MFA launches its Twitter account @MFAsg .

12 – 13 April 2010Singapore attends the inaugural Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC.

6 August 2010 Singapore opens Consulate in Batam, Indonesia.

21 May 2011 Mr K Shanmugam becomes Foreign Minister.

17 June 2011MFA Consular launches its Twitter account @MFASgConsular.

1 July 2011Singapore and Malaysia fully implement the Points of Agreement on Malayan Railway Land in Singapore.

18 July 2011Singapore opens Trade Office in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa. It is Singapore’s first Trade Office in Sub-Saharan Africa.

31 August 2011Singapore hands over the waterworks under the 1961 Water Agreement to the Johor water authorities upon the expiry of the 1961 Water Agreement on 31 August 2011.

22 September 2011Singapore concludes its first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) with the adoption of Singapore’s National Report at the 18th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.

22 August 2012MFA Consular launches its smartphone app MFA@SG.

3 September 2012Singapore opens embassy in Brasilia, Brazil. It is Singapore’s first embassy in Latin America.

14 August 2013Singapore opens Consulate-General in Muscat, Oman.

OUR ORGANISATION

MFA is currently divided into 11 Directorates which deal with political and economic matters, and 7 Directorates which oversee matters relating to protocol and consular issues, and the Singapore Cooperation Programme among others. The Corporate Affairs Directorate oversees organisational and resource management while the Human Resource Directorate and Diplomatic Academy manage the development of personnel and training. Our complete staff directory can be accessed at the Singapore Government Directory Online www.sgdi.gov.sg.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF MFA HQ

MINISTER

SECOND MINISTER

SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE

PERMANENT SECRETARY

AMBASSADORS-AT-LARGE SENIOR ADVISERS

SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY

DIRECTORATES

SEA I Southeast Asia ISEA II Southeast Asia IIASN ASEANIE International EconomicsIO International Organisations

PAD Public AffairsPRO ProtocolIMD Information ManagementCAD Corporate AffairsHRD Human Resource

SMA also covers Properties Management and Development

AM AmericasANZP Australia, New Zealand & The PacificEUR EuropeME Middle East, North Africa & Central AsiaNEA Northeast AsiaSAA South Asia & Sub-saharan AfricaCON Consular

Deputy Secretary(Management)

SMADeputy Secretary(Asia Pacific + IOs)

Deputy Secretary(SEA + ASEAN)

TCD Technical Co-operation

OthersCCO Climate Change OfficeDA MFA Diplomatic AcademyIAU Internal Audit Unit

SEA 1 SEA II ASN NEAAM ANZP IE IO PATCD

Deputy Secretary(International)

EUR ME SAA CON PRO IM IAU CAD HRD DACCO

OVERSEAS MISSIONS

A third of MFA’s staff serve in 49 Overseas Missions in Asia, Europe, North America, the South Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

Embassies1. Abu Dhabi2. Ankara3. Bangkok4. Beijing5. Berlin 6. Brasilia7. Brussels8. Cairo9. Doha10. Hanoi11. Jakarta

12. Manila 13. Moscow14. Paris15. Phnom Penh16. Riyadh17. Seoul18. Tokyo19. Vientiane20. Washington21. Yangon

High Commissions1. Bandar Seri Begawan2. Canberra3. Kuala Lumpur4. London5. New Delhi6. Pretoria7. Wellington

Permanent Missions1. Geneva (UN/WTO)2. Jakarta3. New York

Consulates General1. Chengdu2. Chennai3. Dubai4. Guangzhou5. Ho Chi Minh City6. Hong Kong 7. Jeddah8. Johor Bahru 9. Mumbai10. San Francisco11. Shanghai12. Xiamen13. Muscat

Consulates1. Batam2. Dhaka3. Medan4. New York

NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADORS

Since 1982, Singapore has developed an extensive system of Non-Resident Ambassadors (NRAs) as a means of expanding its diplomatic representation. Singapore’s NRAs are based in Singapore and travel to their countries of accreditation on a regular basis. Given Singapore’s limited resources as a small country, such a system has allowed us to transcend the manpower and financial limitations on setting up resident Missions. To date, Singapore has accredited NRAs to more than 50 countries and international organisations around the world.

FUNDAMENTALS OF SINGAPORE’S FOREIGN POLICY

As a small state without natural resources, Singapore has established a foreign policy that is conducive for cultivating external bilateral relations. We believe in:

- promoting good relations with our immediate neighbours in all spheres based on mutual respect and sovereignty

- standing by our friends who have supported us in our times of need

- being fully committed to ASEAN

- continuing to work for the maintenance of a free and open multilateral trading system

- welcoming trade with any state for mutual benefit and in maintaining an open market economy

- playing an active role in international organisations like the UN

- maintaining a credible military defence as the fundamental basis for an effective foreign policy

S Rajaratnam, 21 September 1965Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1965 - 1980

“My country by the very nature of its historic experience is aware that in the contemporary world a developing country must learn to cherish independence without denying the reality of interdependence of nations. Our abhorrence of dependence on others should not drive us into embracing the dangerous myth of absolute sovereignty. In order to learn to live in peace with other countries there must be willing acceptance of the need for interdependence. The cultural and political development of my country has for decades been based on free intercourse and exchange of ideas drawn from many races, from many continents.”

ASEAN and Southeast AsiaStrong bilateral ties and regional cooperation through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are key conduits through which Singapore pursues its goal of achieving prosperity and stability in Southeast Asia.

Singapore, a founding member of ASEAN, is a firm advocate of ASEAN cooperation and integration. Singapore played a key role in drafting the ASEAN Charter which will make ASEAN a more effective, cohesive and rules-based organisation. Singapore supports the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015 to better position ASEAN to face global political and economic challenges.

ASEAN Member States also cooperate well in other international fora; we have a shared commitment to regional stability and economic development.

Relations between Singapore and Brunei are excellent. Both countries share close ties at all levels, and cooperate extensively in a wide range of areas including defence, finance, health and education. Both countries commemorated the 45th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement in 2012.

Singapore and Cambodia share warm historic ties. Cambodia was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore following its independence in 1965. Both sides cooperate closely within ASEAN and in international fora.

Singapore and Indonesia are close neighbours, bound together by geography, history and long-standing people-to-people links. Both countries are each other’s major trading partners, and Singapore has consistently been among Indonesia’s top foreign investors. Defence ties are strong and robust. Singapore and Indonesia also share common strategic views on ASEAN and the region.

(from left) Singapore’s Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Istana Bogor on 13 March 2012. They witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding and renewed a third, aimed at strengthening links on this front. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam with the ASEAN foreign ministers posing for photographs at the 20th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Phnom Penh on 2 April 2012. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak meeting Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outside the Prime Minister’s Off ice in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on 5 January 2012 for a Leaders’ Retreat. Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam on 16 February 2012 at the Istana. He was in Singapore to attend the Singapore Airshow 2012.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1974, ties between Singapore and Laos have grown steadily. There is close cooperation at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, and relations are kept up by a steady exchange of visits.

Singapore and Malaysia share a broad and multi-faceted relationship. Economic ties are robust, and there are regular high-level political exchanges. The bilateral relationship reached a historic milestone in 2011 with the full implementation of the Points of Agreement on Malayan Railway Land in Singapore. This has paved the way for further cooperation in areas such as transport connectivity, tourism, and the environment.

Singapore established diplomatic ties with Myanmar in 1966. Through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), Singapore has provided extensive technical assistance to support Myanmar’s development. These will be extended and customised through the Singapore-Myanmar Technical Cooperation Programme.

Singapore and the Philippines have long-standing ties dating back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1969. Interactions have remained strong and multi-faceted, and both sides continue to explore avenues for closer cooperation.

Singapore and Thailand enjoy close and enduring ties, particularly in the economic and people-to-people sectors. These are enhanced through the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Partnership framework.

Singapore-Vietnam relations are strong, with regular high-level political exchanges and substantial economic cooperation. The Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Framework Agreement and the flagship Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks are strong symbols of the bilateral economic cooperation between both sides.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

S Dhanabalan, 27 November 1981Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1980 - 1988

“In a situation where the predominance of a single great power was replaced by the contention of severalgreat powers in a f luid, shifting balance of power, a quiescent foreign policy was a standing invitation to disaster. To crouch still in the hope of remaining unnoticed, and thus unthreatened, was only to risk being trampled upon. Nor could we f ind security by seeking the protection of one or the other of the big powers…When the gods of international politics contend, they help only those who help themselves. History is littered with the rubble of states who have lacked the will to take their fate into their own hands.”

FOREIGN RELATIONS

(from left) Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao held a bilateral meeting in November 2011 during which they reaffirmed the excellent state of relations between their two countries. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shaking hands with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak during the G20 Seoul Summit 2010 held at the National Museum of Korea. Looking on are Madam Ho Ching, wife of Prime Minister Lee and Madam Kim Yoon-ok, wife of President Lee. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon toasting Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with a bottle of Newater at the Istana on 23 March 2012. He called it “something far more valuable” than a glass of wine. Mr Ban was in Singapore for a two-day visit. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching meeting India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, in New Delhi on 11 July 2012, during his official visit to India.

to include cooperation to combat diseases such as SARS and avian influenza, as well as joint anti-piracy exercises between the coast guards of both countries. Building on the strong bilateral relationship, both countries also provide technical assistance to third countries, through the Japan-Singapore Partnership Programme for the 21st Century (JSPP21).

Singapore enjoys warm and friendly relations with South Korea with a regular exchange of high-level visits and robust economic ties. Trade and investment links between both countries were further strengthened with the signing of the Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (KSFTA) in 2005, which marked a key milestone in bilateral relations. People-to-people ties have also grown steadily through an increase in cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Singapore’s relations with India are excellent and broad-based, spanning the political, defence, economic, educational, and cultural spheres. Our political leaders and officials share warm and friendly relations, with frequent high-level visits between both countries. The conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in June 2005, which today forms the foundation of bilateral economic ties, marked a milestone in Singapore-India relations. Other highlights include the establishment of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, the India-Singapore Strategic Dialogue, and the India-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group. Singapore also maintains friendly relations with the other countries in South Asia, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Relations are marked by cooperation at international fora and high-level visits. In recent years, a common outlook and shared interests have led to broader and deeper ties with these countries. Trade relations have also strengthened from year to year.

Northeast and South AsiaSince the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China in 1990, bilateral cooperation has grown beyond economics and politics to education, culture, and science and technology.

Singapore enjoys strong and substantive relations with China, anchored by frequent high-level exchanges, robust economic ties, and growing people-to-people linkages. Bilateral cooperation is multifaceted, with a wide range of cooperation projects in diverse fields. Besides the two government-to-government flagship projects, the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-city, and seven provincial business councils in Shandong, Sichuan, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Tianjin, Jiangsu and Guangdong, Singapore and China also concluded the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) in 2009, which is China’s first comprehensive bilateral FTA with an Asian country. Going beyond the traditional parameters of economic cooperation, both sides have also enhanced cooperation in areas such as finance, education, culture, and social management, with new initiatives such as the Singapore-China Forum on Social Management, the education and research collaboration between the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Zhejiang University, and the China Cultural Centre in Singapore. The arrival of the giant pandas, Jia Jia and Kai Kai, is another symbol of the close ties between the peoples on both sides.

Singapore and Japan enjoy an excellent and multi-faceted relationship that has deepened over the years. Relations were further boosted by the signing of the Japan-Singapore New-Age Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) in January 2002. The Japan Creative Centre, which was launched in Singapore in 2009, has helped to enhance understanding of Japan’s culture and technologies. Bilateral cooperation has also been expanded

Wong Kan Seng, 15 November 1988Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1988 - 1994

“Singapore does not have any ambition of playing a major role in international affairs. We know our strengths and our limitations. We do not seek a leadership role whether in ASEAN or any other international forum. We want only to live in peace and to secure a better life for our citizens. But we have always acted whenever our interests need to be protected. And we shall continue to do whatever is necessary to protect our national interests. We owe our people nothing less.”

(from left) Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks with US President Barack Obama during the meetings at the 2009 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta who was in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, calling on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana in June 2012. Mexican President Felipe Calderon calling on President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana on 10 September 2012. Mr Calderon was on a three-day visit in Singapore. Accompanying them are Madam Margarita Zavala, Mr Caledoron’s wife and Mrs Mary Tan, President Tan’s wife.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

AmericasSingapore and the United States of America have shared a long-standing, robust and multifaceted relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1966. The relationship is underpinned by the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement signed in 2003 and the Strategic Framework Agreement signed in 2005.

Since then, the scope of cooperation between both countries has broadened to encompass areas such as counter-proliferation, information technology, health, and education. The bilateral relationship was further enhanced through the institutionalisation of the US-Singapore Strategic Partnership Dialogue in 2012. The Singapore-US Third Country Training Programme was established in 2012 to extend joint technical assistance to developing countries, especially those in ASEAN.

Singapore and Canada also enjoy warm and friendly relations. In July 2012, Singapore took over the Country Coordinatorship for ASEAN-Canada relations and is committed to strengthening ASEAN-Canada relations.

In addition, relations with Latin America as a whole are growing, as evident from the regular meetings and exchanges of high-level visits. Economic cooperation between Singapore and Latin America has also increased significantly. Singapore’s trade with Latin America has more than doubled since 2005 to reach US$30.1 billion in 2011. Singapore has concluded Free Trade Agreements with several Latin American countries, namely, Costa

Rica, Peru, Panama, and Chile through the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP), which Canada and Mexico also joined as negotiating partners in 2012. Singapore’s stock of direct investment into Latin America grew 7.7% annually from 2006 to US$35.6 billion in 2010. Since 2004, International Enterprise Singapore has organised an annual Latin Asia Business Forum, which is the premier platform for fostering investments, trade, and thought leadership between Asia and Latin America.

Singapore’s engagement of Latin American countries has also expanded to other non-economic areas such as science and technology and education. Singapore has shared our development experience with Latin American countries through the provision of technical assistance under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

One of the main mechanisms promoting Singapore-Latin America relations is the Forum for the East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC). FEALAC was mooted by then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1998 to provide a platform where Asia and Latin America can explore avenues for cooperation in the political, economic, social, cultural and academic areas. Projects initiated by Singapore under FEALAC include our annual FEALAC Journalists’ Visit Programme (JVP), which has been ongoing since 2000, and the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF). These projects have helped to promote better understanding between the two regions.

Prof S Jayakumar, 8 October 1999Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1994 - 2004

“Singapore’s future is inextricably linked with that of Southeast Asia. A strong and vibrant ASEAN strengthens the region, creating optimal conditions for economic recovery and growth. We remain committed to ASEAN and will work with other members to help the organisation meet new challenges.”

Middle EastSingapore enjoys warm and friendly ties with countries in the Middle East. Singapore’s intensified engagement of the region began when then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong made a series of high-level official visits to Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain in February 2004.

Since then, besides numerous high-level visits on both sides, Singapore has expanded its diplomatic presence in the Middle East with the opening of new embassies in Doha, Qatar in 2006 and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2007. Singapore also established a Consulate-General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2012 and will open another Consulate-General in Muscat, Oman in 2013.

Singapore has also developed formal mechanisms with Middle East countries to broaden and deepen relationships, such as the High Level Joint Committee with Qatar, the Singapore-Abu Dhabi Joint Forum and the Singapore-Oman Joint Committee. Singapore also engages in cultural exchanges through initiatives such as the redevelopment of Muscat Street, the Jewel of Muscat project and the King Abdullah Scholarship Program. Meanwhile, Singapore continues to explore opportunities in the Maghreb countries for new areas of cooperation.

Another platform for the two regions to come together to discuss issues of mutual concern is the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED). The inaugural session held in Singapore in June 2005 resulted in cooperation on several tangible projects and the formation of several open-ended working groups. For example, to support human resource development in the region, two AMED Regional Training Centres were established in Qatar and Jordan respectively.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

(from left) Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) Rt Hon David Cameron to breakfast at the Istana during the latter’s stopover visit on 13 April 2012. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong calls on the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum who heads the Dubai Executive Council. German Chancellor Angela Merkel with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on 1 June 2011.

EuropeSingapore enjoys excellent relations with Europe. Economic relations, in particular, are long-standing and robust. For example, the European Union (EU) is Singapore’s second-largest trading partner and largest overall foreign investor.

Singapore, on its part, is the EU’s largest trading partner and investment destination in ASEAN. Singapore serves as a regional hub for many European companies in the Asia-Pacific, with close to 9,000 European companies based here. Economic relations will be further enhanced once negotiations for the EU-Singapore FTA (EUSFTA) are concluded.

Singapore’s strong relations with Europe are underpinned by the regular exchange of visits by leaders, as well as close cooperation in many areas, such as trade and investment, defence, science and technology, culture, etc. For example, Singapore and France recently signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement in October 2012. Singapore has also deepened its engagement of the emerging European economies such as Russia and Turkey, with platforms such as the annual High-Level Russia-Singapore Inter-Governmental Commission, the Russia-Singapore Business Forum and the Turkey-Singapore Business Council serving to foster closer relations both at the government and business levels. The Singapore Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, was also opened in 2012.

Singapore also works closely with Europe at forums such as the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the ASEAN-EU Dialogue Partnership. ASEM, which was conceived by then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1995 and since expanded to 51 countries, has promoted dialogue and deepened region-to-region linkages and cooperation. Singapore also hosts the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), which promotes greater mutual understanding between Asia and Europe through intellectual, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Since its inception in 1997, ASEF has implemented over 500 projects and has reached out to more than 15,000 direct participants.

George Yeo, 4 March 2005Minister for Foreign Affairs, 2004 - 2011

“In this new world, being small and being a city state is no longer such a great disadvantage… We have a chance now to grow our links in all directions and enlarge our security and economic space. We do not know how long this period of history favourable to us will last. In the meantime, we should work hard and quickly to build new structures which keep the spaces open to our people. This is the reason why Singapore plays such an active role in regional and international organisations”

(from left) New Zealand Prime Minister John Key inspecting the guard-of-honour on 18 April 2012 during his f irst off icial visit to Singapore. Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia, called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana during her two-day state visit to Singapore in April 2012.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

AfricaSingapore maintains cordial and friendly relations with the African countries. In recent years, Singapore has witnessed increased interaction with African countries through bilateral visits and meetings at international fora.

Economic relations between Singapore and African countries have also deepened. The inaugural edition of the Africa Singapore Business Forum (ASBF) was organised by International Enterprise Singapore (IES) and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) in July 2010. Following the ASBF, the Africa Business Group (AfBG) was launched under the auspices of the SBF as a platform to facilitate the exchanges between the Singapore business community and their counterparts in Africa. The second edition of the ASBF saw a successful run in August 2012, attracting over 200 participants from 34 African countries. Singapore also shares its developmental experience with interested African countries through training programmes and study visits under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

Australia, New Zealand and OceaniaSingapore established diplomatic relations with both Australia and New Zealand soon after independence in 1965.

Singapore’s relations with Australia are driven by substantial mutual interests and deep bilateral ties in the areas of defence, trade and investment, and education. These ties are underpinned by a number of institutional frameworks and mechanisms, the most important of which is the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC). Formed in 1996, the biennial SAJMC provides a platform for both countries to share their perspectives on issues of common interests and to advance bilateral relations.

Singapore’s historical ties with New Zealand include close cooperation in areas such as defence, trade and investment, education, the arts and sports. Singapore’s first bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP) signed in 1999. The signing was a milestone in bilateral relations and set the foundation for even closer collaboration between the countries.

Singapore has diplomatic relations with Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Timor-Leste. Bilateral relations with the Pacific Island countries are warm and friendly. Besides trade and investments, Singapore also provides technical assistance to the Pacific Islands through training programmes under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

“The US-China relationship will remain as one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world for decades to come. A constructive relationship between the US and China will be essential for stronger global collaboration at a time when the global economy is unstable ... Singapore has a strong equity interest in good US-China relations ... Going forward, Singapore will continue to maintain strong and friendly relations with both countries. We will also support the strengthening of regional platforms that will allow both the US and China to work with the region and contribute to all our stability and growth.”K Shanmugam, 6 March 2012Minister for Foreign Affairs, 2011 - present

(from left) Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the APEC family photo session during the Asia-Pacif ic Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit on 13 November 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the G20 Summit of Heads of State and Government on 3 November 2011 in Cannes, France.

The fundamentals of Singapore’s foreign policy include the need to remain useful and relevant to the international community. Singapore has also sought, since independence, to uphold an international system based on the rule of law. It is such fundamentals that drive Singapore’s support for various international and multilateral organisations.

As a small state, Singapore has benefited significantly from membership in the United Nations, and remains dedicated to the organisation. Then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong underscored this when he told the UN General Assembly in 1995, “Singapore will continue to be deeply committed to the UN. Small countries like Singapore need the UN, and must play a constructive role in supporting it. We take the UN seriously, and will actively help build consensus and facilitate agreement.” To demonstrate Singapore’s willingness to take on additional responsibilities in support of the UN and its activities, Singapore sought and was elected, for the first time, to a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council from 2001- 2002. Singapore is a founding member of the Forum of Small States (FOSS), an informal grouping established in 1992 that now comprises 105 countries.

Singapore has been convening an informal grouping of small and medium sized states known as the Global Governance Group (3G). The 3G serves to foster dialogue between the G20 member economies and the non-G20 economies. As the coordinator of the 3G, Singapore has been invited to G20 meetings in previous years, such as the G20 Seoul Summit in November 2010 and the G20 Cannes Summit in November 2011.

Similarly, as a small trading nation, Singapore strongly supports an open, rules-based, multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Singapore has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995, and hosted the 1st WTO Ministerial Conference (MC) in December 1996.

As a founding member, Singapore has also played an active role in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) since its inception in 1989. Since then, APEC has grown to be the premier forum for

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, APEC continues to serve as an essential platform to promote regional peace and security through economic linkages. To this end, Singapore supports APEC’s non-trade agenda, for example in the areas of technical assistance and cooperation, human resource development, counter-terrorism, and emergency preparedness.

Singapore has also been a member and an active participant in the Commonwealth since independence in 1965. In 1971, Singapore hosted the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held outside the UK. It produced a seminal document known as the Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles. The Commonwealth’s relatively smaller size (currently 54 members), a shared language and similarities in political institutions among member countries, makes it a useful forum for its member states to discuss issues of common concern. Singapore regularly participates in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings held once every two years. Singapore has also contributed to the work of the Commonwealth through, among others, the Commonwealth Youth Programme and the Singapore-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) under the Singapore Cooperation Programme which offers training courses to Commonwealth members.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 (G77) have long been key vehicles through which developing countries discuss matters of common concern. Singapore believes that these organisations will continue to be useful platforms for members to voice their concerns and cooperate on issues of mutual interest.

(from left) Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 2009 Asia-Pacif ic Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the launch of the Asean China Centre on 17 November 2011 during the Asean-China Commemorative Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the the Trans-Pacif ic Partnership (TPP) Ministers & Leaders meeting at Hale Koa Hotel in Hawaii.

Singapore is committed to bilateral and multilateral cooperation in dealing with transborder issues such as terrorism, pandemic diseases, environmental protection, energy security and non-proliferation.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

As a densely populated city-state, Singapore subscribes to the principle of sustainable development and actively takes part in international initiatives on the environment. Singapore participated in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janerio, Brazil from 20-22 June 2012. The Rio+20 Summit agreed on a plan to address issues such as global environmental management, food security and “green economy”. Singapore recognises that climate change is becoming an increasingly important and immediate global issue that needs to be addressed. Being an island nation also means that Singapore is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including warming temperatures and rising sea levels.

Singapore recognises that effective action and cooperation by all countries is necessary to reduce global emissions and stabilise the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Singapore is therefore committed to playing an active role in organisations such as the UN, ASEAN and APEC on environmental and climate change issues.

Singapore is a major refinery and petrochemical centre for Southeast Asia. We are mindful that any disruptions to the international suppy of oil could upset the world economy. Hence, Singapore plays an active role in ensuring the security of the Malacca Straits. To ensure its own security, Singapore has also been studying ways to secure reliable, affordable and sustainable sources of energy for the long term.

Singapore strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and is committed to the fight against terrorism. At various fora such as the UN, APEC, Commonwealth, ASEM and ASEAN, we have played a constructive role in strengthening international counter-terrorism efforts. Singapore believes that practical cooperation among countries and between front-line law-enforcement and security agencies are the most effective means of achieving tangible progress in counter terrorism.

Singapore also supports global efforts to bring about a peaceful world environment through disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons. In particular, Singapore takes an active interest in disarmament through fora such as the UN and the ASEAN Regional Forum. Singapore supports disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We view progress in nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation in all its aspects as essential to strengthening international peace and security. Singapore is party to the following international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties:

• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

• Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty

• Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction

• Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction

• Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle through which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its technical assistance to other developing countries.

The SCP also collaborates with over 40 major countries (such as the US and Japan), as well as reputable international organisations and aid agencies (such as the International Monetary Fund, United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank) to jointly provide technical assistance to others under our Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) framework.

The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) was established in 1992 to share Singapore’s development experience with its friends around the world. Under the SCP, Singapore provides technical assistance in the form of short courses, workshops and study visits in areas where it has expertise in such as public administration, economic development, civil aviation, human resource development, urban planning and water management. The SCP equips government officials from other countries with the skills and knowledge they need to make a difference in their home countries.

As a small state with finite resources, this is the most effective and prudent way for Singapore to be a responsible global citizen and give something back to the international community for the assistance it had received in the past.

To date, the SCP has trained more than 80,000 people from 170 countries. Most of the SCP participants come from ASEAN countries, and a significant component of the SCP goes to the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) to strengthen ASEAN. Singapore also welcomes many SCP participants from China, South Asia, Pacific Islands, Africa and the Caribbean Islands.

TECHNICAL COOPERATION

(from left) Singapore and the US signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a TCTP in February 2012 to jointly provide technical assistance to developing countries. Sharing Singapore’s urban development experiences with course participants. Inaugural Singapore-Pacific Ministerial Study Visit on Public Administration and Sustainable Urban Development in August 2012. Singapore’s Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) training centre in Vientiane, Laos.

UNIQUELY SINGAPORE

According to the Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals, Sang Nila Utama (or Sri Tri Buana), ruler of Palembang landed at Temasek (or ‘water town’ as the early settlement of Singapore was then known) while seeking shelter from a storm. Sighting an animal he took to be a lion, he decided to establish a settlement which he named ‘Singapura’ - Lion City. The island became commonly known as Singapura by the end of the 14th Century.

The History of SingaporeThe history of modern Singapore dates to the founding of the island city-state on 6 February 1819, as a trading station by Sir Stamford Raffles. Together with Malacca and Penang, the two other British settlements on the Malay Peninsula, Singapore formed the Straits Settlements under British control in 1826. By the close of the 19th century, Singapore had experienced unprecedented prosperity and trade expanded eightfold between 1873 and 1913. Following World War II, and the dissolution of the Straits Settlements, Singapore became a Crown Colony on 1 April 1946. Self-government was then attained in 1959. In May that year, Singapore’s first general election was held to choose 51 representatives to the first fully-elected Legislative Assembly.

On 16 September 1963, the merger of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (now Sabah) resulted in the formation of Malaysia. Singapore obtained its full independence on 9 August 1965, when it was separated from the rest of Malaysia. Singapore has been a sovereign, democratic and independent nation since then.

ANATOMY OF A COUNTRY

The LandSingapore consists of one main island and some 63 offshore islands. At 714.3 sq km, Singapore is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia. Apart from the main island, the larger islands include Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa. Singapore has an equatorial climate, which is warm and humid all year round.

The PeopleThe population of Singapore stands at approximately 5.3 million. The three main racial groups comprise the Chinese (74.2%), Malays (13.3%) and Indians (9.2%), and are largely descendants of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China, the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka.

Other Singaporeans include the Eurasians – the descendants of Europeans, primarily Portuguese and British, married to Asians, and Arabs who came as traders, and eventually married Malays. The official languages of Singapore are English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil. Malay is the national language and English is the language of administration. The main religions in Singapore are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism.

Over time, the development of a distinct identity as Singaporeans, accompanied by the retention of traditional practices, customs and festivals has resulted in a uniquely Singaporean cultural heritage.

The GovernmentSingapore is a republic with a parliamentary system of government based on the Westminster model. The Constitution of Singapore provides for three organs of state: the Executive (Cabinet), the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Under Article 24 of the Constitution, the Cabinet is responsible for all government policies and the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the state. The Cabinet is led by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President, as the Member of Parliament who commands the confidence of the majority of the Members of Parliament. The Cabinet is collectively responsible to the Parliament.

The unicameral Parliament is elected by General Election every five years. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected into Parliament on a first-past-the-post basis and represent either Single Member or Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). At least one member of a GRC must belong to a minority race and all members of the group must be from the same political party or alliance.

The Constitution also provides for the appointment of other MPs not elected at a General Election. Up to nine Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) from opposition political parties can be appointed. Constitutional

ANATOMY OF A COUNTRY

The Constitution also provides for a President who is the Head of State, and is elected for a six-year term. The President is empowered to veto government budgets and key appointments to public office. He can also examine the Government’s exercise of its powers under the Internal Security Act and religious harmony laws, and in investigations into cases of corruption.

Provisions also exist for the appointment of up to nine Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) to ensure a wider representation of community views in Parliament. NMPs are appointed by the President for a term of two-and-a-half years on the recommendation of a Special Select Committee of Parliament chaired by the Speaker.

The present Twelfth Parliament consists of 87 elected MPs, three NCMPs and nine NMPs.

The third organ of state provided for under the Constitution is the Judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts. The Chief Justice is the head of the Judiciary. The Supreme Court is made up of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, and hears both civil and criminal matters.

SINGAPORE – CONNECTING THE WORLD

Small and Open EconomySingapore is a small, open economy that is highly dependent on trade.

In 2012, Singapore’s total merchandise trade amounted to S$985 billion and its merchandise trade to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio was nearly 300 %, one of the highest in the world. As part of our commitment to working with like-minded countries to further the cause of free trade, Singapore has also developed an extensive network of Free Trade Agreements, Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements and Investment Guarantee Agreements.

Manufacturing and services are the twin engines of the Singapore economy and accounted for about 21% and 69% of the GDP respectively. Within the manufacturing sector, electronics and biomedical manufacturing clusters accounted

for more than half of the sector’s value-added. Among the services sectors, wholesale & retail trade, business services, and financial & insurance sectors are the key sectors. Singapore’s principal exports include petroleum products, electronic components, telecommunication equipment, data processing machines and pharmaceuticals.

At the heart of Singapore’s thriving business ecosystem is a unique blend of competitive strengths. These include comprehensive air, sea and IT infrastructures that provide for the seamless flow of goods and services to markets around the world. Singapore also consistently scores high marks in global and regional rankings of the factors that matter to

businesses, including political risk, ease of doing business and corporate governance.

Singapore is also an effective springboard for companies venturing into and out of Asia and has built up its position as a “Home for Talent” from which companies to access, develop and deploy talent, in Asia and globally.

SINGAPORE – CONNECTING THE WORLD

Key Economic SectorsBiomedical Sciences (BMS) is a key cluster in the manufacturing sector. Singapore is home to six of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies’ manufacturing facilities, and one of the key strategic manufacturing locations of the global BMS industry.

The finance & insurance sector is also an important sector of Singapore’s economy. As an international financial centre which serves investors worldwide, this sector constitutes about 12% of Singapore’s GDP, and provides jobs to 5.5% of the workforce. Singapore has attracted a diverse mix of more than 700 financial institutions, and is now recognised as the world’s third largest foreign exchange trading centre.

Tourism is another contributor to the Singapore economy. In 2012, visitor arrivals rose 9.5% to reach 14.4 million while tourism receipts grew 3% to S$23 billion. Aided by sophisticated port facilities and shipyards, Singapore has developed into a premier International Maritime Centre

where ships hub and ancillary services in shipping, commerce and logistics flourish. Singapore is currently the world’s busiest container transhipment hub and receives more than 130,000 vessel calls every year. We are connected to more than 600 ports in over 120 countries.

As one of the world’s busiest and well-connected air hubs, Changi Airport is served by some 108 airlines flying to close to 260 cities in more than 60 countries worldwide and handles about 6,800 weekly scheduled flights. Further adding to our status as a world-class airport, Terminal Three was completed

in 2008, with Terminal Four slated to be opened by 2017. Further expansion to Changi’s airport and aerodrome infrastructure is also being planned, with a new Terminal Five slated to start operations in the mid-2020s. Singapore

is also a fervent supporter of free and open competition in the aviation sector, having signed air services agreements with more than 110 countries, including various multilateral Open Skies Agreements (OSAs). [Note: figures from CAAS, as at August 2013]