DPM Teo Chee Hean's visit to France, 4 to 7 Dec 2018

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean visited Paris from 4 to 5 December 2018.

On 4 December, DPM Teo and French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation Frédérique Vidal were Guests-of-Honour at the France-Singapore Year of Innovation (YOI) Wrap-Up Event.  In his remarks, DPM Teo took stock of the achievements of the YOI, particularly in strengthening connections between our research, innovation and enterprise sectors, creating new platforms for cooperation, and injecting new perspectives into our respective approaches towards innovation.  Minister Vidal highlighted the major outcomes of the YOI, including the establishment of the Global Innovation Alliance in Paris, the launch of the “French Tech Singapore” community, and the deepening of cooperation in higher education, research and artificial intelligence.  DPM Teo also interacted with French enterprises, start-ups and other guests at the event.

Earlier in the day, DPM Teo met the heads and senior representatives of French public research institutions from the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation (Inria), National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and National Agency for Research (ANR).  They had a fruitful discussion on how to strengthen collaboration in research such as circular economy, space technology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

On 5 December, DPM Teo gave a television interview on the French international news and current affairs network France 24, during which he spoke about Singapore-France relations and key international developments.  He also visited École 42, a private, non-profit and tuition-free computer programming school in Paris, and had dinner with Singaporean professionals working in Paris.

DPM Teo will visit Pau in the French region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine from 6 to 7 December to attend the 22nd meeting of the TOTAL International Advisory Committee.

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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
SINGAPORE
6 DECEMBER 2018