Singapore and Africa strengthen ties in trade, aviation and education

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Government and several local organisations signed a series of agreements on Wednesday with parties from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Kenya, among others, that will expand relations between Singapore and Africa in areas randing from aviation to education.

The deals were all signed at the Africa Singapore Business Forum.

First, Singapore's Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr S Iswaran, signed bilateral investment treaties with Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

These deals are aimed at protecting investor interest and opening up more business and investment opportunities between Singapore and the two countries.

"The treaties will provide our companies operating in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast better protection and greater investment confidence, thus promoting investment flows between our countries," Mr Iswaran said.

Second, Singapore and Zimbabwe signed an air services agreement to allow carriers from both countries the flexibility to plan their commercial operations and capitalise on market opportunities, paving the way for greater connectivity between both countries.

Third, trade promotion agency IE Singapore and accounting giant Deloitte & Touche signed a memorandum of understanding to support trade and investments between Singapore and East Africa.

Fourth, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore Business Federation launched a new Centre for African Studies. The centre aims to provide Asian executives, entrepreneurs and policymakers with in-depth insights on African markets.

It will be a research centre under NTU's Nanyang Business School.

Finally, Nanyang Business School signed agreements with the Strathmore Business School of Kenya and the Lagos Business School of Nigeria's Pan-Atlantic University.

These deals pave the way for partnerships in research, executive and leadership training and student exchange programmes between the Centre for African Studies and these two African business schools.

The first collaboration takes place next month with Nanyang Business School and Strathmore Business School running a five-day leadership course here for 35 senior managers from Kenya and Tanzania.

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