Skip to main content

Government officials will never ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam.

Ministry of Trade and Industry
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Opening Remarks by 2M Tan See Leng at the 7th Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship Ministerial Meeting
2. Speeches

Opening Remarks by 2M Tan See Leng at the 7th Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship Ministerial Meeting

14 March 2025

This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.

Your Excellency Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce, Thailand,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

  1. Good afternoon. And to our Thai friends, Sa-wat-dee krub.

  2. A very warm welcome to Minister Pichai and the Thai delegation to Singapore. Singapore is happy to host the 7th Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) Ministerial Meeting (MM) this year, and it is my pleasure to co-chair the meeting with you.

  3. A lot has changed since we met in Bangkok for the last STEER meeting more than two years ago. Both our countries were just emerging from the global pandemic, and I recall from the group photos that all our officials were still wearing masks.

    1. I am glad that I can see all your faces today, as we emerged stronger together from those difficult times, which makes the slogan for the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Thailand diplomatic relations, “STRONG@60”, all the more apt today.

  4. Today, we continue to witness robust cooperation between our countries, which is a testament to the longstanding bilateral and economic ties we share.

    1. Last year, our bilateral trade grew 6.4% to reach S$44.47 billion. Thailand was Singapore’s 9th largest trading partner, and 3rd largest trading in ASEAN.

    2. On the investments front, Singapore has consistently been one of the top investors in Thailand since 2015 and emerged as the top investor in 2024.

  5. Singapore companies remain keen to invest in Thailand, across a wide variety of sectors.

    1. These range from traditional areas such as manufacturing, finance and insurance services, as well as real estate, to new and emerging areas such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and the digital economy.

    2. Our economies complement each other well, as we continue to work together to spur mutual economic growth and development. Our companies have also found good partners in one another.

    3. To foster closer partnerships between the Singapore and Thai business community, the Singapore Business Federation will be organising its flagship Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) in Bangkok later this year. This will be event’s second overseas edition. I look forward to Minister Pichai and MOC’s support in making the event a success.

  6. The 7th STEER Ministerial Meeting today is timely, as we discuss the way forward in several key areas of mutual interest, particularly in agri-trade, trade and investment, digital economy, carbon credits, intellectual property and tourism.

  7. I look forward to having an insightful discussion with Minister Pichai during the meeting ahead, as we discuss how to propel our bilateral economic cooperation forward.

  8. Thank you. Krop-khun krub. May I now invite Minister Pichai to deliver his opening remarks.

Back to top