Your Excellency Vice Chancellor Joschka Fischer Members of the German-Singapore Business Forum
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by extending a warm welcome to you, Mr Vice Chancellor, and to members of your delegation. You have honoured us by stopping in Singapore and we appreciate your gesture. I last met you in Germany in June this year on the sidelines of the Asia Europe Meeting. It therefore gives me great pleasure to see you again, this time in Singapore.
The German business community is one of the largest and most influential in Singapore. With a German community over 3,000 strong, and with over 600 companies, Germany is the 5th largest foreign manufacturing investor in Singapore. Many key German companies are represented at this dinner tonight. Let me therefore take this opportunity to extend a special welcome to members of the German Singapore Business Forum as well as representatives of German and Singapore companies.
The bilateral partnership between Singapore and Germany is built on a strong economic foundation. In this respect, the German Singapore Business Forum plays an important role in strengthening relations between Singapore and Germany. The German Singapore Business Forum not only promotes partnerships between Singapore and German businessmen, it also serves as a platform for joint ventures into other countries in Southeast Asia. Like Singaporeans, Germans are very pragmatic and business-oriented people. We think alike on many issues. This makes it easy for our officials and businessmen to work together. Indeed, this is the key behind the German Singapore Business Forum's success. It is also no surprise that Singapore is home to the most successful German Centre for Industry and Trade or "German House" in the world. I understand that this "German House" has become the model of other German Centres worldwide.
Our close economic partnership has given rise to deeper cooperation in many other areas. In 1998, Germany and Singapore signed the German-Singapore Enhanced Partnership Declaration (GSEP) to promote cooperation in fields such as education, IT, shipping, air services, research and culture. In June 2000, when Prime Minister Goh made an official visit to Germany, PM Goh and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder issued a Joint Declaration on Enhanced Education Cooperation. Our universities are already actively collaborating by exchanging students and researchers. This is a trend that we hope will intensify in the future.
Finally, let me say a few words about Germany's role in promoting Asia-Europe relations. Germany has a long history of engagement in Asia. Germany trading companies have been doing business in China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia for over a hundred years. Germany understands Asia and can play an important role in bringing Asia and Europe closer. I am therefore pleased to note that, under your leadership, Germany has been playing an active role in the ASEM process. The last ASEM Foreign Minister's meeting was held in Berlin in March 1999. Likewise, Germany has been active in reviving the stalled ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, which will be held in December 2000. We hope you will continue to play a leadership role in building stronger links between Asia and Europe.
It gives me great pleasure to propose a toast to His Excellency, the Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany:
To your good health and success, to the success and prosperity of the German people, and to the continued partnership between Singapore and Germany.