In an effort to strengthen economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Singapore, Majid Al-Qasabi, the Kingdom's Minister of Commerce, led a delegation of 36 officials on a working visit to the Southeast Asian country to investigate prospective bilateral partnerships. This tour, which will last through September 27, is an important aspect of the Saudi-Singaporean Business Forum, which is aimed at increasing commerce in goods and services. The forum's goals are to stimulate entrepreneurship and create collaboration in emerging industries.
The first day of the meeting included critical debates about the Singaporean education system, endowment collaboration, and chances for student skill development. Al-Qasabi's meetings with Singapore's Education Minister Chan Chun Sing and Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who also oversees Muslim affairs, highlighted the potential for educational partnerships and expanded educational initiatives in both countries.
Al-Qasabi studied prospective collaborations in the digitization of manufacturing processes, the establishment of business parks, and the growth of a vibrant service-oriented economy, emphasizing the importance of modernization.
Both countries also delved into possibilities for joint research initiatives, particularly between Saudi Arabia’s National Competitiveness Center and the Asia Competitiveness Institute at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, as per Arab news.
The visit will also address the progress made in implementing Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthening trade cooperation. The agenda of the forum includes topics such as e-commerce, logistics, and cutting-edge technologies. The team will visit several educational academies, innovation institutes, and the world's largest automated port, Tuas, as part of their itinerary, demonstrating both countries' mutual dedication to learning and collaboration across multiple industries.