Premier Cho Jung-tai said May 22 that Taiwan is committed to enhancing good democratic governance and will continue working with Singapore to deepen cooperation across the board.
Cho made the remarks while meeting with a Singapore delegation led by the country’s former parliamentary speaker, Abdullah Tarmugi, at the Executive Yuan in Taipei City.
The premier first congratulated the Southeast Asian country’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai on the commencement of his term earlier this month, and expressed appreciation for the delegation’s attendance at the May 20 inauguration ceremony for President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim.
Taiwan and Singapore have expanded exchanges in multiple fields in recent years, Cho said, adding that this year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP).
According to Cho, Singapore was the largest source of foreign investment in Taiwan last year at US$2.28 billion. It is also Taiwan’s largest investment destination in Southeast Asia, with direct investment of US$2.44 billion during the same period, he said.
Cho went on to say that over 5,000 students from both sides have participated in senior high school exchange programs since 1983, adding that the two governments inked a cooperative memorandum of understanding on medical care and public health in 2023.
The like-minded partners have comprehensive public care systems, Cho said, and Singapore is the only country where the number of visitors to Taiwan last year exceeded pre-COVID-19 statistics. He added that Taiwan is eager to learn more about economic growth and government efficiency from Singapore.
In response, Abdullah said Singapore has a close and long-standing relationship with Taiwan, and that the country will continue boosting bilateral investment and trade based on the ASTEP. He added that the extensive people-to-people exchanges are thriving. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw