Singapore’s president begins state visit to Belgium
Singapore’s president, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, has arrived in Belgium for a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
The visit begins with a formal welcome from King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, followed by a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and meetings with MPs. Shanmugaratnam is also set to meet prime minister Bart De Wever and Brussels mayor Philippe Close later on Monday.
On Tuesday, he will tour the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, a key hub in Belgium-Singapore trade relations. The Port of Singapore Authority manages three terminals in Antwerp, handling 80 per cent of container traffic passing through the port. The visit will also mark the inauguration of new facilities at the Europa Terminal.
The final day will focus on business ties, with Shanmugaratnam attending discussions at the Federation of Belgian Enterprises alongside King Philippe and Belgian industry leaders. The talks will highlight Belgium’s role as Singapore’s third-largest trading partner within the EU and the growing presence of Belgian businesses in Singapore.
The state visit, following a major trade mission to India earlier this year, reflects Belgium’s broader strategy of deepening economic and diplomatic relations with Asia.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam © PHOTO FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
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