Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to Singapore
The Prime Minister was in Singapore as part of a regional trip in which he is also visiting Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
The Rt. Honourable David Cameron MP
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, The Rt. Honourable David Cameron MP, visited Singapore on 28 and 29 July 2015. The Prime Minister was in Singapore as part of a regional trip in which he is also visiting Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
During his two-day official visit, the Prime Minister had bilateral talks with Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana where he was given a full ceremonial welcome and hosted to an official lunch. He also witnessed the signing of an MOU on cyber-security with PM Lee. To commemorate his visit, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which was recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, named an orchid in his honour, the Papilionanda David Cameron.
The Prime Minister also delivered a keynote speech at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, calling for stronger international commitment to tackling corruption, including through greater transparency on business ownership. He was also Guest of Honour at a ‘Business is GREAT’ themed reception for British and Singapore business and community leaders held at Eden Hall. He visited Commonwealth Secondary School where he viewed their environmental education and design space facilities and took the opportunity to speak with local students.
Accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit were The Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills; The Rt. Hon. Lord Maude, Minister of State for Trade and Investment; The Rt. Hon. Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change; and The Rt. Hon. Anna Soubry MP, Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise. The Prime Minister also led a 30-strong business delegation representing a cross section of UK business. He spoke at a Northern Powerhouse trade and investment event that highlighted the strengths of businesses, the opportunities for Singapore investors and the potential for partnership with Singapore in the great cities of the North of England.
While in Singapore, the Prime Minister and his Ministers agreed a series of key Singapore-UK initiatives. These included a joint partnership on innovating for smart cities and living between Singapore’s National Research Foundation and InnovateUK, as well as activities linking the UK’s Digital Catapult and Singapore’s Smart Nation Programme; and a contract for FutureEverything (UK) to deliver a Singapore festival in autumn in Singapore commissioned by the Infocomm Development Authority to promote the national vision of using technology to improve lives and businesses as part of the SG50 celebrations. Further information on these and other Singapore-UK initiatives that demonstrate the deep and broad bilateral relationship are in the Annex.
The Prime Minister’s official visit during Singapore’s Golden Jubilee Year and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations marks and celebrates the close, strong and longstanding ties between the two countries.
Please contact the undersigned for more information –
Benedict Thambiah
Communications Manager
British High Commission Singapore
Tel.: 6424 4271
Mobile: 9003 7566
benedict.thambiah@fco.gov.uk
ANNEX
Clifford Chance Training Academy
The Clifford Chance Academy is being established in Singapore to provide high quality technical legal training to lawyers across the Asia Pacific region. Singaporean lawyers will benefit from courses that have been created by international experts in their areas of specialty and will also meet and work with colleagues from other countries within the region. Several of the courses will be run in the Academy in Singapore meaning that a number of lawyers from around the region will visit Singapore for their training.
Green Growth and Business Forum 2016
Singapore and the UK look forward to jointly hosting the second regional Green Growth & Business Forum in Singapore in July 2016 as part of their on-going collaboration on climate change and low carbon business cooperation.
Heath & Safety Executive and Ministry of Manpower Contract
The UK HSE has secured £1.4mn (SGD2.8mn) of business wins through delivery of contracts for Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower and other Singapore Government agencies with a potential to increase future business wins up to £20mn (SGD40mn) through other potential joint partnerships. HSE’s partnership in Singapore increases the exchange of expertise in order to improve health and safety standards across industries in both countries.
Lloyds of London – UKTI – Monetary Authority of Singapore Partnership Agreement
Lloyds of London and UK Trade & Investment will partner with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to promote regional insurance coverage and reduce the risk to millions of people in the region from losses as a result of natural disaster. This partnership acknowledges the UK’s credentials as the global insurance expert with the role of Singapore as an insurance hub for Southeast Asia.
Appointment of a UK Liaison Officer (LNO) to the Regional Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre
The UK Ministry of Defence will appoint a Liaison Officer (LNO) to the Regional Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre and the Singapore Navy’s Information Fusion Centre to support disaster relief and maritime security efforts in South East Asia. An embedded UK LNO will increase UK understanding of maritime threats in South East Asia and influence regional approaches to both threats and incidents.
Aviva – UKTI – Monetary Authority of Singapore – State of Intent
UKTI, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Aviva plc signed a Statement of Intent to promote and support digital innovation in insurance for the benefit of consumers. The wide ranging agreement seeks to encourage cooperation to bring global digital skills and resources to inform and develop the Singaporean and regional insurance sectors. It will also aim to help industry better understand customers’ changing needs to provide more tailored insurance products.
Opening of new Cobham office
Cobham Communications and Connectivity has opened a new facility in Singapore, to drive further growth of its business activities across the Asia Pacific market. This new office brings together the multinational corporation’s Antenna Systems, AvComm, SATCOM, Tactical Communications & Surveillance (TCS) and Wireless business units. The regional sector contributes significant revenues annually, making Asia Pacific one of Cobham’s most important and rapidly expanding markets. They opened their new office on 29 July 2015.
Demo Day of Startupbootcamp
After Startupbootcamp FinTech, the leading innovation programme for the financial industry worldwide, was announced last November by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the programme’s 1st cycle comes to an end on 29 July. The 11 cutting edge startups are tackling some of the hottest trends in FinTech, from blockchain technology to wealth management, and will graduate on Demo Day to an audience of over 450 investors and financial industry experts at Gardens by the Bay.
Given that Startupbootcamp FinTech is a London born program that expanded to Singapore, the ties in the FinTech industry have been strongly tightened on all levels and the communities such as startups, venture capitalists, financial institutions, regulators have grown together. The exchange on regulatory questions, investment opportunities and expertise never has been better. It shows the strong corridor for tech companies that will benefit the Singaporean and British economy.
Opening of Alexander McQueen flagship store
With a strong footprint in Asia with 23 stores, the Alexander McQueen brand has been developing steadily on an international scale. Following the opening of their first standalone accessories store at Marina Bay Sands in February 2015, the flagship store opened on 12 July at Scotts Square in Orchard Road, Singapore’s central shopping district. The flagship store presents a full offering of the Alexander McQueen world with both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear as well as the accessories collection to complement.
Opening of Lloyds Bank new Asia HQ in Singapore
Lloyds Bank has opened its new Asia HQ in Singapore against a backdrop of UK banks in Singapore reviewing and in some cases reducing their local footprint, this is a positive signal of our banks’ commitment to the region. Lloyds Bank have reviewed their operations in Asia and chosen to consolidate in Singapore.
Hamleys
Hamleys, the 255 year old iconic toy store from London, launched their first store on 23 July, offering the much awaited Regent Street experience in Singapore. With a street front location at the popular, family oriented mall, Plaza Singapura, Hamleys plan to open more outlets in Singapore as part of their Asian expansion plans, through their franchise partner, Global Retail Ventures. Hamleys has opened over 40 stores internationally in the last 7 years, bringing their unique retail experience to children and families across the world.
Dyson
This month, Dyson produced its 10 millionth motor in Singapore. This is patented technology developed by world class British engineering expertise, and manufactured here, on Dyson’s manufacturing lines at West Park. They are amongst the most advanced, fully automated, production lines in the world, producing some of the smallest, fastest motors possible. By the end of the year the manufacturing facility at West Park will be made up of over 400 robots, and investment in the facility means that it will be able to produce over 11 million motors each year. This technology has opened doors for Dyson and sits at the heart of the Dyson Airblade hand dryer, the 360 Eye robot and their latest V6 range of cordless technology – demand for which is growing quickly around the world. Since setting up its advanced motor manufacturing facility in Singapore in 2012, Dyson has injected over £100mn (SGD200mn) to ramp-up production of these motors, and over £200mn (SGD400mn) in research and development. Today Dyson in Singapore hires more than 800 people with the company looking to hire another 100 engineers to power its future growth.
ScienceScope
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) awarded the tender “Internet of Things (IoT)@Schools” to ScienceScope Ltd, a UK company with extensive experience in providing technology for Science education, to conduct a Proof-of-Concept to study how IoT can bring about authentic and inquiry-based learning supported by sensors in five Singapore schools, as part of the country’s Smart Nation vision.
Implementing the UK-Singapore Innovation and Research Partnership
• Spire Satellites and A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) are collaborating in a £1.6mn (SGD3.2mn) project, supported by the UK Space Agency and the Economic Development Board, to develop a constellation of nanosatellites to track small vessels at sea. • InnovateUK launching joint grant call with Singaporean agencies to help UK and Singaporean SMEs work together to develop and demonstrate technologies for sustainable urbanisation. The £500k (SGD1mn) programme will help SMEs collaborate to access test-beds and demonstration facilities in the UK and Singapore, with a call expected to open in September. • The UK’s Digital Catapult is collaborating with Singapore partners to help companies from the UK and Singapore develop and scale-up ‘Internet of Things’ products and services.
Opening of the Singapore Phenome Centre
The Singapore Phenome Centre (SPC) will open at the Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKC Medicine) in September, the second in the planned network of national phenome centres, after the first National Phenome Centre based at Imperial College.
LKC Medicine, NTU and Imperial will launch a unique PhD programme in January 2016, which will further strengthen the research ties between Singapore and the UK. Students can opt to complete a jointly supervised project at LKC Medicine and Imperial.
Robinsons to introduce John Lewis Home and Living Collection
John Lewis, an upmarket chain of departmental stores in the UK with a strong heritage dating to 1864, partners exclusively with Robinsons to introduce their Home & Living Collection to Singapore. The eclectic and inspiring collection is made with quality materials and at the highest standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail, blending the old with the new to create distinctive looks for the home. The John Lewis collection will be showcased at Robinsons at The Heeren and Robinsons’ outlets at Raffles City and JEM.
FutureEverything
FutureEverything: Manchester-based SME FutureEverything has won a contract from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) to explore the Smart Nation through digital culture, developing a Smart Nation Innovation Lab and conference, with live events and city-wide art installations.
Speeches delivered by the Prime Minister in Singapore
a. Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy 28 July 2015
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/tackling-corruption-pm-speech-in-singapore
b. Remarks at Northern Power House Seminar 29 July 2015
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-foreign-investments-boost-northern-powerhouse
c. Remarks delivered at press conference with Singapore Prime Minister at Istana 29 July 2015
Thank you very much Prime Minister.
I’m delighted to be back in Singapore - on my second visit here as Prime Minister and in such a special year as Singapore celebrates its 50th year of independence.
It is a milestone of which every Singaporean is rightly proud, and that one we in Britain celebrate with you.
Singapore and the UK share a deep history and I’m delighted that, as you’ve said, the Foreign Secretary will represent the UK at the celebrations taking place here in August.
Coming here on my first visit outside Europe since the election demonstrates not only the importance we attach to the close historical ties that bind us but also the exciting opportunities that our relationship today presents.
Over 1,000 British businesses have a base here. This is our largest export market in the region - worth £6.5 billion in 2013. And the UK is Singapore’s most important destination for investment after China.
So this is a relationship that is important for the prosperity of both our countries.
Our discussions so far have focused on how we can strengthen that economic relationship and how we can work together on security issues to create the safe and stable environment that is so important for businesses to flourish.
Let me say a few words on each.
ECONOMY
First, our economic relationship.
We discussed how the UK and Singapore can work together to capitalise on the opportunities not only opening up in Singapore but across the region.
One of the biggest challenges facing British businesses who want to operate in the region is protection of their intellectual property rights.
Today we have agreed to work together to strengthen co-operation on this issue, providing greater reassurance for British companies who want to use Singapore as a springboard to the region.
We have also discussed how we can boost collaboration on research and we have agreed to invest jointly £500,000 in a new partnership between Innovate UK and Singapore’s National Research Foundation to encourage the development of innovative technologies that can enhance city life, whether on energy, transport or healthcare.
This will help accelerate the development of this sector in the UK and put British business in prime position to seize the opportunity of this global market which is predicted to be worth £200 billion by 2030.
SECURITY
Creating new opportunities is vital but so too is ensuring that businesses have the stable conditions they need to succeed.
That means responding to growing threats like maritime piracy and cyber attacks as the Prime Minister has just said. And today we have agreed action to tackle both.
We have agreed to provide further assistance to the Singaporean Navy as it works with partners in the region to tackle the threat from piracy and improve maritime security.
With 15% of all UK shipping passing through the Malacca and Singapore Straits, it is in our national interest to work with Singapore on this.
It comes alongside our commitment this month to continue to spend 2 per cent of our GDP on defence for the rest of this decade – building new warships and submarines for the Royal Navy, including the two largest aircraft carriers the Navy has ever put to sea. And I look forward to them docking at Singapore in the years ahead and playing their part in upholding international peace and security.
We have also agreed to double the amount we spend together to protect our businesses and critical infrastructure from the threat of cyber attacks.
This additional funding will build on the agreements made during President Tan’s State Visit to the UK last year.
It will provide for further collaboration between our two nations’ emergency response teams and we will also develop the cyber professionals of the future through online competitions and learning programmes. CONCLUSION
These have been important discussions which we’ll continue over lunch.
The increased co-operation we have agreed today will benefit our countries, creating new opportunities for businesses and spurring economic growth.
And I look forward to continuing our talks and in particular discussing with Prime Minister Lee how we can work together to protect ourselves from the threat of ISIL and to counter the Islamist extremist ideology that is doing so much harm, including to our young people. An issue we have already discussed this morning.
Updates to this page
Last updated 3 August 2015 + show all updates
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Corrections were necessary.
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First published.