The Honourable Simon Bridges, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues and Associate Minister of Transport, New Zealand will visit Singapore as the 35th Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow (LKYEF) from 4 to 11 August 2012. Minister Simon Bridges is the second Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow from New Zealand. Minister Simon Bridges will be accompanied by his wife Mrs Natalie Bridges.
Minister Simon Bridges has been a Member of Parliament in the electorate of Tauranga since 2008. Prior to entering politics, Minister Bridges had a successful legal career and was formerly a Senior Crown Prosecutor in the District and High Courts. In April 2012, he was appointed the Minister of Consumer Affairs, outside the Cabinet, while concurrently holding the portfolios of Climate Change Issues and Transport in the capacity of Associate Minister.
Minister Simon Bridges will meet with Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam and Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat. Minister Simon Bridges will also visit a number of Singapore institutions including the Economic Development Board, Port of Singapore Authority and Monetary Authority of Singapore. Mr Eddie Teo, Chairman of the LKYEF, will host a welcome dinner for Minister Simon Bridges.
The visit underscores the close and longstanding ties between Singapore and New Zealand. Besides high-level exchanges, both countries also work closely together in many areas, both on a bilateral basis, as well as in regional and international fora.
Established in 1991, the LKYEF programme invites outstanding individuals for high-level exchange visits to Singapore. The Fellows are chosen on the basis of their proven track records or extraordinary potential to contribute to the development of their nations, as well as promote international understanding and goodwill.
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