Visit of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee to Singapore, 17 & 18 February 2014

Monday, 17.02.2014 – Tuesday, 18.02.2014

Countries; Meeting of members of government and members of other authorities

© FDFA

The Parliamentary Committee of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), consisting of ten Members of Parliaments from the four member states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, visited Singapore. The Committee came for an exchange of experiences on the functioning of the 2003 free trade agreement and to discuss further topics like Singapore’s regional trade initiatives. After the visit of the Port of Singapore, the Parliamentarians met with the Government Parliamentary Committee of Finance, Trade & Industry. The Committee also visited the Urban Redevelopment Authority and was impressed by the long-term vision that Singapore is following. The visit’s highlight was the discussion with Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry. The Committee met the respective Business communities at the Dinner Reception in the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence. On Tuesday morning, the Parliamentarians continued their trip through Iskandar and to Kuala Lumpur afterwards to promote the forthcoming negotiations of the EFTA-Malaysia free trade agreement.

The Swiss Parliamentarians came back to Singapore for a special Swiss programme. They visited the Singapore ETH Centre, Swissnex, the Embassy and the Swiss School, where they had discussions with the staff. In the evening, the Delegation invited representatives of the Swiss community to an informal dinner at the Swiss Club.

 

Location: Singapore