President Tony Tan Keng Yam will make a State Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 30 October to 3 November 2016 at Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s invitation. This is President Tan’s first State Visit to the Middle East and will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Egypt. President Tan’s State Visit will also reciprocate President Al Sisi’s State Visit to Singapore from 30 August to 1 September 2015, the first by an Egyptian President.
President Tan will receive a ceremonial welcome at Ittihadeya Palace and call on President Al Sisi, who will also host a State Lunch Banquet. President Tan will also meet Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Dr Ahmed Al Tayyeb and Coptic Pope Tawadros II. President Tan will be the Guest-of-Honour at a Graduation Ceremony for Singaporeans studying at Al Azhar University, and a reception for the Singaporean community in Egypt. A Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation encompassing several areas such as public administration, port management, water resource management and education will be signed during the State Visit.
President Tan will be accompanied by Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim; Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Trade and Industry, Dr Koh Poh Koon; Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ms Low Yen Ling; Member of Parliament Dr Chia Shi-Lu; and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Ministry of Communications and Information, International Enterprise Singapore, and Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura. A business delegation led by the Singapore Business Federation will also visit Egypt in conjunction with the State Visit.
During President Tan’s absence, Madam Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament, will exercise the functions of the office of the President from 30 October to 4 November 2016.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
29 OCTOBER 2016