DPM Tharman's Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 19 to 21 January 2019

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Tharman Shanmugaratnam has concluded an official visit to Riyadh from 19 to 21 January 2019.  DPM Tharman was accompanied by Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman and Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry Dr Koh Poh Koon, as well as officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Monetary Authority of Singapore.

During his visit, DPM Tharman called on His Royal Highness Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.  They affirmed the strong and broad-based bilateral partnership, and agreed to strengthen cooperation as Saudi Arabia moves forward with economic and social reforms in support of its Vision 2030 agenda.  DPM also reiterated Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s invitation to Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to visit Singapore at a mutually convenient time.

DPM Tharman also met with several Saudi ministers, including Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Dr Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr Majid Al Qasabi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ibrahim Al Assaf, Minister of Education Dr Hamad Al Sheikh, Public Investment Fund Managing Director Yasir Al Rumayyan and Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority Governor Dr Ahmed Al Kholifey.  Their discussions focussed on concrete ways to deepen economic engagements and cooperation in education and other areas, and to make better use of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Singapore Free Trade Agreement.  DPM Tharman also received updates on the progress of Saudi Arabia’s economic and social reforms.

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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

SINGAPORE

22 JANUARY 2019