CELEBRATION OF THE 44TH NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE IN DOHA, QATAR 9 AUGUST 2009

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE PRESS STATEMENT

CELEBRATION OF THE 44TH NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE IN DOHA, QATAR
9 AUGUST 2009

The Embassy of the Republic of Singapore held a reception for the Singaporean community at the Moevenpick Tower and Suites in Qatar on 9 August 2009 to celebrate Singapore's 44th National Day. Charge d'affaires and Head of Mission Umej Bhatia officiated at the event, which was attended by 300 Singaporeans residing in Qatar.

In a sign of mutual commitment to develop bilateral relations, Singapore established an embassy in Doha in December 2006 and Qatar set up its embassy in Singapore in October 2007. Since then, political relations have expanded considerably as demonstrated by the frequent high-level visits between the two sides. His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned paid a state visit to Singapore in May 2009. His Excellency S R Nathan, President of Singapore, made his first state visit to Qatar in March this year, while His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong Prime Minister of Singapore visited Qatar in December 2008 to sign the GCC-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. The Qatar-Singapore High Level Joint Committee, which is co-chaired by His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent of Qatar and His Excellency Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, and which provides the strategic oversight for the development of bilateral relations, also held its 3rd meeting in Doha in March this year.

Business-to-business relations between the two countries have also grown rapidly. The total value of bilateral trade surged by an impressive 69% from QR16.9 billion in 2007 to QR28.6 billion in 2008. Similarly, people-to-people interaction has increased dramatically. Between 2003 and 2008, the number of Qataris visiting Singapore surged from 697 to 5,823. The number of Singaporeans living in Qatar has also increased steadily. To date, there are around 500 Singaporeans residing in Qatar, comprising consultants, lawyers, finance professionals, business executives and their families. Besides events organised by the Embassy, Singaporeans in Qatar also interact through the RedDotters@Qatar, an association of Singaporeans in Qatar.

In his welcome address, Charge d'affaires and Head of Mission Umej Bhatia said that the relationship between Singapore and Qatar had deepened significantly in recent years, and that the two countries would celebrate a quarter century of diplomatic relations this year. He also highlighted that following the rapid expansion of political relations between Qatar and Singapore, and the slew of high-level visits between the two sides, the bilateral relationship had matured and entered into the important implementation and follow-up stage.

In his speech, Karamjeet Singh, Acting President of the RedDotters@Qatar said that that the RedDotters@Qatar would continue to assist and bring together fellow Singaporeans living in Qatar.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
DOHA, STATE OF QATAR
9 AUGUST 2009