The focus of the Minister’s trip in South East Asia (Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia) is discussions on trade policy (the free trade agreement EU-ASEAN and WTO) and trade and investment promotion.
In Singapore, Mr Tolgfors will give a key note address in a trade policy seminar arranged jointly by the Embassy of Sweden, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), the Swedish Business Association of Singapore and the School of Economics in Gothenburg.
During a luncheon, marking the 25th anniversary of the Swedish Business Association of Singapore, Mr Tolgfors will address and discuss trade issues with Swedish business representatives.
Singapore is Sweden’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and more than 180 Swedish companies are present in Singapore.
During the afternoon, Mr Tolgfors will visit the biomedical research hub Biopolis, where researchers from the public and private sectors are co-located. Mr Tolgfors will get briefings on the activities carried out by A*STAR and the Economic Development Board and their cooperation with the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
Mr Tolgfors will also meet with Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, 2nd Minister, Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts, Mr Peter Ong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry as well as other representatives of trade and investment related agencies.
