On January 17, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as part of his state visit to Singapore, visited the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, one of the leading higher education institutions in the world.
The School, named after the former Prime Minister-reformist of Singapore and the architect of Singapore’s “economic miracle”, specializes in training for master’s programs in public policy and international relations, scientific and political research.
For several years now, the School has occupied the first lines of the world rankings of higher education institutions. It also organizes short-term training programs for senior officials from foreign countries.
As is known, a well-thought-out personnel policy, priority attention to training qualified, competent and honest leadership played an important role in Singapore’s achievement of economic and social success. The Leader of Uzbekistan pays special attention to these issues from the very beginning of his activity. In this context, the study and application of Singapore’s experience in training civil servants are of great importance.
The President of Uzbekistan got acquainted in detail with the activities of the school and discussed with the leadership of the educational institution the prospects for bilateral cooperation.
In the presence of the President of Uzbekistan, the signing ceremony of the Cooperation Agreement between the Public Administration Academy of Uzbekistan and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy took place.
Then the President of Uzbekistan met with the heads of leading companies and financial structures in Singapore.
The event was attended by the Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore Tan See Leng, Chairman of Singapore Business Federation Ming Yan Lim, heads of 15 largest companies such as Indorama, Meinhardt Group, CPG Corporation, Changi Airports, Management Development Institute of Singapore, TMC Academy, Virtus Health, and others.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev drew attention to the fact that the visit to Singapore is his first trip abroad in the new 2023, which indicates the exceptional attention of Uzbekistan to establishing strong and mutually beneficial relations with Singapore.
It was noted that due to the implementation of systemic reforms in Uzbekistan, the inflow of investments increased to a level exceeding 30 percent of GDP. In 2022 alone, $8 billion of foreign direct investment was attracted to the economy.
The President of Uzbekistan shared plans to attract about $30 billion in investments in 2023, launch over 300 projects worth $8 billion.
The results of the Uzbekistan – Singapore Business Forum, held the day before, were noted with satisfaction. New investment, trade and financial agreements worth almost $5 billion were signed as part of the event.
“This is evidence of a significant intensification of our cooperation, its obvious success and filling the agenda of Uzbekistan – Singapore relations with practical and qualitative content”, the President of Uzbekistan noted.
But the partnership’s potential has not been exhausted. As President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted, both countries can significantly enhance bilateral cooperation.
“The advanced experience of Singaporean companies is of great interest to us”, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said. – I am sure that the synergy of innovations and technologies of Singaporean partners with Uzbekistan’s resource and human potential will ensure the stable development of future joint projects.
The Leader of Uzbekistan highlighted the most promising areas for long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation, including the participation of Singaporean companies in the privatization process in Uzbekistan, the development of urban and transport infrastructure, the implementation of joint projects in the chemical and textile industries, the green economy, education, healthcare, and others.
Readiness was expressed to provide Singaporean entrepreneurs with the necessary production infrastructure, broad support in the form of benefits and guaranteed purchases, as well as other assistance measures.
Noting that the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan are aimed at making the country associated with foreign partners with reliability and stability, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called on Singaporean entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation and actively invest in the economy of Uzbekistan.
Views were exchanged on plans to enhance the partnership. In their speeches, representatives of Singaporean businesses highly appreciated the economic reforms carried out in Uzbekistan and shared plans for the implementation of specific projects in Uzbekistan.
After talking with each member of the business delegation, the President of Uzbekistan invited entrepreneurs to visit the country and personally get acquainted with the favorable investment climate created.
Following the meeting, the responsible leaders from the Uzbek side were instructed to develop and approve the Plan of Practical Measures, including all the voiced projects and indicating step-by-step mechanisms, specific deadlines, and executors.
Thereupon, the fruitful state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Singapore ended.
The officials of Singapore saw off the distinguished guest at Changi Airport. The President of Uzbekistan departed for Tashkent.
Sourced from National Information Agency of Uzbekistan
