South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrived in Singapore on Sunday to begin the first leg of his three-day working visit to Southeast Asia.
According to the Presidency, Mashatile began his visit with a tour of the Marina Barrage development, Singapore’s innovative water resource management project.
In its statement, the Presidency notes that Singapore has made big strides in the area of seawater desalination.
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The deputy President’s visit to the country is aimed at building and strengthening bilateral relations, particularly increasing trade, economic, knowledge and cultural exchange between the two States.
Seen as a global financial hub, Singapore is also considered one of the premier asset management centres in Asia. The World Bank has ranked Singapore as the number one country in the world for ease of doing business since 2006, and the country is an important global aviation and maritime hub.
In addition, the Asian country is viewed as an important gateway for the export of goods and services to Southeast Asia and a hub for joint venture partnerships throughout Asia.
As part of his programme, Mashatile will visit the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He will then deliver a public lecture on the 30 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Singapore titled ‘Celebrating a journey of mutual respect, strategic partnership and cooperation’.
The Deputy President is accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini; Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina; and Higher Education, Science and Innovation Deputy Minister Buti Manamela.
The Communication and Digital Technologies Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Magdalene Sotyu, and senior government officials are also among those travelling with the Deputy President.
