29 September 2010

Mauritius and Singapore Must Move for Closer Economic Ties

Mauritius and Singapore must really move for closer economic ties, the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, told his Singaporean counterpart M. Lee Hsien Loong during a working meeting yesterday in Singapore, where he is on an official visit at the invitation of the Singaporean government. The two leaders discussed on how to reinforce bilateral relations, especially economic ones, between the two countries.

A Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Corporation Enterprise already exists and we can see the benefits of this agreement, underlined Prime Minister Ramgoolam. The tête-à-tête between Dr Navin Ramgoolam and M. Lee Hsien Loong was preceded by the signature of an Air Services Agreement between Mauritius and Singapore. This Agreement makes provision for up to 14 passenger flights per week between Mauritius and Singapore whereas presently there are only two flights weekly.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam also met the Singaporean President, M. Sellapen Ramanathan with whom he discussed about trade, tourism and bilateral cooperation amongst other issues.

Dr Ramgoolam had a working session with M. Clarence Yeo, Commissioner of Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and its representatives. The discussions focused mainly on the new Mauritian identity card, immigration control and customs.

If Mauritius wants to send a delegation to Singapore for more details, we are ready to conduct training and host the delegation. We can be of assistance to Mauritius, we have similar challenges and problems, said Commissioner Yeo after presenting the equipment that the ICA uses for the production of identity cards.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam requested for Singaporean expertise regarding security in prisons and in the context of the construction of a new prison during a working session with the personnel in charge of the Changli prison. The Singaporean party responded favorably to the request. Dr Ramgoolam was also received by the Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Ho Peng Kee.

On Monday the Prime Minister had working sessions with members of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, with the President of the Nanyang Technological University and with members of the Singapore Public Utilities Board.

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