Singapore Government Press Release
SPEECH AND TOAST BY SINGAPORE PRESIDENT S R NATHAN AT THE STATE BANQUET HOSTED IN HONOUR OF HIS EXCELLENCY NATSAGIIN BAGABANDI, PRESIDENT OF MONGOLIA ON THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2001, AT THE ISTANA BANQUET HALL AT 8.00PM
Your Excellency President Bagabandi and Madame Oyunbileg
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you, Mr President, your wife, and your delegation from Mongolia to Singapore. Your Excellency’s visit to Singapore, the first by a Mongolian Head of State, marks an important milestone in our bilateral relations.
Mongolia has a rich and illustrious history which dates back many centuries. Your great Empire once stretched from northern China to the Black Sea and Persia. We in this region may be far from your country, but proud references of your past Empire are well known to many of us. The ingenuity of the Mongolian people resulted in Eastern and Western Asia being bound by a system of mounted couriers. This greatly improved the security of the Central Asian trade routes and led to a boom in trade in those times.
The Government and people of Mongolia are now facing complex challenges of transition. You are once again displaying those traditional qualities of determination and fortitude as you endeavour to transform your country politically and economically.
Since the early 1990s, Mongolia has embarked on an ambitious plan to integrate itself with the international community by adopting comprehensive reforms that favour political pluralism and the transition to a market economy. This should make the Mongolian economy and society more open and attuned to regional and international changes.
Such reforms will be critical for Mongolia’s success in an increasingly globalised, IT and information-driven economy. Under your leadership, and with the Mongolian people’s determination and drive, I am confident that Mongolia will succeed in its endeavour to be plugged into the globalised economy.
In a small way, we in Singapore have tried to support your efforts in national development and economic reform. Singapore has, since 1993, trained 189 Mongolian officials in a variety of fields such as English Language, Information Technology, Finance and Management, Urban and Environmental Management and Tourism. I would like to assure you, Mr President, that we will be happy to share our developmental experience with your country and continue to provide technical assistance to Mongolia.
Singapore is Mongolia’s 9th largest trading partner in 1999 at a total trade value of S$19.9 million. In year 2000, Singapore’s trade with Mongolia increased to a value of S$22.3 million. As Mongolia’s economy develops and diversifies, it will open up more opportunities for the expansion of economic and business links between our two countries.
Our two countries have seen a gradual but steady development of relations over the years. Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between our two countries three decades ago, Singapore and Mongolia have enjoyed problem-free and warm relations. We have worked well together at various regional and international fora, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the United Nations. In this age of globalisation and increased inter-dependency, it is imperative that Singapore and Mongolia keep in close consultation and continue to work together at various multi-lateral fora as we have a common stake in regional peace and stability. I am confident, Mr President, that your visit would be a catalyst for the further strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation in the years to come.
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
May I now invite you to join me in a toast:
to the good health and happiness of President Bagabandi and Madame Oyunbileg;
to the peace and prosperity for the people of Mongolia; and
to the continued friendship between Singapore and Mongolia.
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