Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, the Minister of Commerce, is in Singapore leading a delegation of 36 top officials from various sectors. Their visit, lasting until the 27th, focuses on enhancing trade relations and deepening economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Singapore. They will also be attending the Saudi-Singapore Business Forum.
Today, Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi held discussions with Singapore's Education Minister, Chan Chun Sing, and Masagos Zulkifli, the Minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs. Joining the dialogue were Dr. Iman Al-Mutairi, CEO of the National Competitiveness Center, and the Saudi Ambassador to Singapore, Abdullah Al-Madhi.
In their discussions, both parties highlighted the importance of preparing students for future industries, addressing digital literacy gaps, and fostering entrepreneurship. They also delved into the unique aspects of Singapore's education system, emphasizing mutual knowledge exchange, collaborative training initiatives, and partnerships between universities and schools. Additionally, they explored expanding educational exchange programs and cooperation in charitable endowments.
Al-Qasabi engaged in discussions with Bing Chiuong Boon, Chairman of the Economic Development Board, and Tan Chiong Meng, Head of the Industrial Infrastructure Planning Authority. Their dialogue centered on enhancing economic incentives, offering advanced business solutions for companies, fostering collaboration in the evolution of industrial zones and business hubs, and emphasizing the transition towards digital manufacturing processes.
During their discussions, the focus was on strengthening bilateral ties in the service economy sector and sharing best practices to boost competitiveness. The dialogue also explored potential research collaborations between the National Competitiveness Center and the Asia Competitiveness Institute, housed within the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. This was further emphasized in a meeting with Professor Manchini Francesco, the school's Deputy Dean for Executive Education, and Professor Cheong Paul, the institute's director.
Over the next couple of days, Al-Qasabi is scheduled to engage in a series of discussions with key figures. This includes meetings with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong; the Minister of Manpower, Dr. Tan See Leng; the Minister of Communications, Ms. Josephine Teo; as well as interactions with Peter Ong, the head of "Enterprise Singapore", and Dr. Robert Yap, who leads the Singapore Academy for Supply Chains and Logistics Services.
The delegation has an extensive itinerary that encompasses visits to elite educational institutions, cutting-edge business innovation hubs, and the world-renowned Tuas Port, which stands as the globe's largest automated port. Their objective is to glean insights from best practices across diverse sectors. Moreover, they are set to attend the "Saudi-Singapore Business Forum" tomorrow, a collaborative effort between the National Competitiveness Center, the Saudi Chamber of Commerce, and the Singapore Business Federation.
The forum delves into the strides Saudi Arabia has taken since the 2016 launch of its Vision 2030. It spotlights avenues for deepening economic ties, fostering trade partnerships, and sharing expertise. A significant part of the dialogue centers on amplifying collaboration across pivotal industries in both nations, with a spotlight on sectors like logistics, e-commerce, and emerging technologies.
The delegation boasts leaders from a diverse array of Saudi government agencies. This includes the Ministries of Commerce, Investment, Education, Health, and Industry & Mineral Resources, among others. Key institutions such as the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, the SME Authority "Monsha'at", and the Data & AI Authority "SDAIA" are also represented. Additionally, the team encompasses representatives from the National Center for Competitiveness, the Saudi Logistics Academy, the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and several national corporate leaders.