MTI's Lee Ark Boon appointed IE Singapore CEO

SINGAPORE - Mr Lee Ark Boon, currently the deputy secretary (Trade) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), will be International Enterprise (IE) Singapore's new chief executive officer (CEO).

Mr Lee's appointment as trade agency chief takes effect from Feb 1, MTI announced on Monday (Jan 25).

He replaces Mr Teo Eng Cheong, who left the agency on Dec 31 to join Surbana Jurong as CEO (International),

MTI said that in his current role at the ministry, Mr Lee helped to advance Singapore's foreign bilateral and multilateral economic relations. He oversaw the successful conclusion of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA), TransPacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and Turkey-Singapore FTA.

In addition, Mr Lee was involved in the review and upgrade of existing FTAs including the China-Singapore FTA, strengthening engagements with Asean members, US and Europe, and increasing Singapore companies' awareness of new and emerging markets.

Mr Lee was also Singapore's Senior Official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) and World Trade Organisation (WTO).

He has previously served in the Ministry of Manpower, National Security Coordination Secretariat, Ministry of Transport, Public Service Division and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A recipient of the Singapore Public Service Commission Overseas Merit Scholarship, Mr Lee majored in Economics at the University of California at Berkeley and Yale University.

Said Mrs Ow Foong Pheng, Permanent Secretary for MTI: "Ark Boon's experience in expanding Singapore's trade and investment relations and international negotiations will equip him well to lead IE Singapore to promote the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises.

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