New MOUs signed to enhance ties in various sectors, including digitalisation, education, and water research
On August 24, 2023, Singapore and Qatar signed five new memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors such as digitalisation, education, water-related research, and social development. The agreements were witnessed by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani during the latter’s official visit to Singapore.
The new pacts aim to boost opportunities for collaboration between companies and start-ups in both nations, with a focus on areas such as smart cities, transport and logistics, energy, manufacturing, and innovation. One of the agreements between Enterprise Singapore and Qatar’s Investment Promotion Agency will work on promoting commercial partnerships and market access for businesses in both countries. Additionally, Enterprise Singapore and Qatar Development Bank have partnered to facilitate collaboration in fintech and digital technology.
Another notable agreement between Singapore’s national water agency PUB and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) focuses on water-related research, with the goal of sharing knowledge and promoting joint research programs, including participation in Singapore’s International Water Week.
Other MOUs were signed between the respective Ministries of Social and Family Development and Education in both countries, aiming to exchange expertise and enhance cooperation in areas such as family policies, education curriculum, and assessment.
The visit also saw the naming of a new orchid hybrid in Sheikh Mohammed’s honor, a symbolic gesture reflecting the strong ties between the two nations. Sheikh Mohammed’s visit underscores the growing relationship between Singapore and Qatar, with a shared focus on trade, investment, and regional cooperation.
In the coming days, Sheikh Mohammed will co-chair the 8th Qatar-Singapore High-Level Joint Committee (HLJC) meeting and deliver a lecture on “Small States: Strategies for Success in a Competitive World.”
