Singapore, Australia deepen cooperation in green economy, innovation
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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (right) with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Oct 7.
PHOTO: MDDI
Follow topic:
- Singapore and New South Wales (NSW) have signed an agreement to boost commercial partnerships, focusing on green economy and innovation.
- The MOU aims to leverage NSW's strengths as Australia's economic and financial hub, according to EnterpriseSG.
- PM Wong's visit to Australia includes upgrading the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and meetings with key leaders.
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CANBERRA – A new agreement between Singapore and the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) will facilitate more commercial partnerships between the two sides, with a focus on innovation and the green economy.
The memorandum of understanding between Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the NSW government was signed on Oct 7, following a meeting between Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
The partnership will capitalise on NSW’s strengths as Australia’s economic and financial hub, and will cover areas such as green energy, sustainable urban development and fintech, said EnterpriseSG.
It will also enhance NSW’s role as a home for Singapore start-ups, while enabling exporters from the Australian state to become early movers in South-east Asian markets, the NSW government said in a statement.
In a post on Facebook, PM Wong said the agreement will open up new opportunities for businesses from both countries, while further strengthening Singapore-Australia ties.
While in Sydney, PM Wong had back-to-back engagements, including meetings and a closed-door dialogue at the Lowy Institute, a think-tank, on the global trends shaping the world.
“I also had further discussions with Australian business leaders to explore how we can deepen cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, and the digital economy,” he wrote on Facebook. “It has been a fruitful visit to Sydney. Look forward to continuing the conversations in Canberra!”
PM Lawrence Wong (right) with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns during his visit to the Australian state on Oct 7.
PHOTO: MDDI
On Oct 7, PM Wong also travelled to Canberra, where he was hosted to dinner by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The two leaders are expected to hold the 10th Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Meeting on Oct 8.
Both sides will then sign a joint declaration to launch the upgraded Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), or CSP 2.0.
While in the Australian capital, PM Wong will also call on Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn and meet Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley.
He will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial and meet overseas Singaporeans at a reception.
PM Wong is then due to travel to Auckland for a visit from Oct 9 to 11, where he and his delegation will meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
PM Lawrence Wong (left) at a meeting with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns on Oct 7.
PHOTO: MDDI
The two leaders are expected to announce an upgrading of bilateral ties to a CSP. This comes on the back of closer links after the two countries signed an Enhanced Partnership agreement in 2019.
This is PM Wong’s first official visit as head of government to both Australia and New Zealand. The visit also marks the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s diplomatic relations with both countries.
