Singapore, Norway reaffirm close ties

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg concluded her official visit to Singapore on Thursday, reaffirming close ties between the two countries.

According to a press release by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg met with Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday. During the meetings, leaders of the two countries reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing ties.

Prime Minister Solberg said that Norway looked forward to welcoming President Tan when he makes a state visit to Norway in October this year.

President Tan and Prime Minister Solberg agreed that both countries should continue to work together in areas such as sustainable development and research and education as well as exploitation of new areas of cooperation.

MFA said that prime ministers of the two countries exchanged views on a wide variety of issues, including the global economic outlook, regional and economic developments, as well as economic strategies taken by both countries to remain vibrant and resilient, and ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Solberg also delivered the keynote address at the 6th Norway-Asia Business Summit alongside Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang. They spoke on how Norway could tap on the dynamism and growth potential of ASEAN and the broader Asia Pacific region.

Norway is the sixth-largest contributor to Singapore's Registry of Ships, while Singapore hosts the largest Norwegian business community in Asia, with almost 400 companies here. Enditem