President Sheikh Mohamed receives Singapore PM in Abu Dhabi

President Sheikh Mohamed on Sunday received the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

There was an official reception for Mr Lee on his arrival, where the national anthems of the UAE and Singapore were played, followed by a 21-gun salute, state news agency Wam reported.

“I was pleased to receive Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore to discuss opportunities to build upon our deep-rooted bilateral ties,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media

“The UAE-Singapore comprehensive partnership remains essential in advancing global economic prosperity and achieving our shared vision of a sustainable future.”

During the meeting, both sides reviewed ties and opportunities to develop relations, especially in the fields of economy, investment, education, and tourism, along with advanced technology, digital commerce, renewable energy, sustainability solutions, food security, and climate action.

The discussion also touched upon the upcoming Cop28 in the UAE, noting the event's importance in finding sustainable solutions that will achieve a substantial shift in global climate action.

Sheikh Mohamed said the two countries share many commonalities, as both are pioneering models of development, hubs of trade and finance, and champions of tolerance and coexistence with a special interest in education and investing in human capital while supporting global peace.

He said the UAE was keen to expand relations with Singapore, especially in technology, energy, education, sustainability, trade and investment sectors.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Mohamed Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Dr Thani Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Jamal Al Suwaidi, UAE ambassador to the Republic of Singapore, and several senior State officials.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, met with Mr Lee at Za’abeel Palace and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

Sheikh Maktoum spoke about the strong ties between the two nations across all economic sectors, in particular in trade and tourism sectors.

During the meeting, the two sides emphasised the importance of exchanging expertise and best practices in key fields like investment, trade and tourism.

As key global hubs for trade and tourism, the two countries bring together a wealth of experience in these fields, the two leaders said.

They also touched on the prospects for greater UAE-Singapore ties within the framework of expanding GCC-ASEAN cooperation.

Other topics of mutual interest discussed at the meeting included the UAE's hosting of Cop28 at Expo City Dubai.

The UAE is Singapore's biggest trading partner in the Middle East, with non-oil trade of $4.1 billion in 2021.

In 2019, the countries signed a Comprehensive Partnership, during a visit by Sheikh Mohamed, which aims to deepen areas of co-operation in trade, industry and investment, financial co-operation, education and human resources development as well as sustainable development and energy.