皇冠体育app

皇冠体育app, Singapore working on free trade deal
By Chen Qide (皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-01 08:50

Singapore is looking forward to working with 皇冠体育app on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) upon the completion of FTA negotiations on goods between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 皇冠体育app, a senior Singaporean official said in Shanghai on February 28.

"The bilateral FTA will not only institutionalize our access to the Chinese market, but also give our businessmen a leg up in their dealings in 皇冠体育app," said Raymond Lim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry at the two-day Fourth Singapore International Foundation (SIF) Overseas Conference which closed on February 29.

A senior official from the Ministry of Commerce said a FTA with a single ASEAN member could possibly be set up when negotiations for the 皇冠体育app-ASEAN FTA are concluded as scheduled on June 30.

Some more-developed ASEAN countries, including Singapore, are requesting setting up pacts with 皇冠体育app as early as possible.

More than 400 participants from Singapore and 皇冠体育app participated in the "New Asia and Emerging 皇冠体育app: Opportunities and Strategies" conference.

Lim told them the FTA with 皇冠体育app will complement Singapore's access to other major markets in the US, Japan, Australia and, in the near future, India.

For their part, Chinese businessmen will be able to use Singapore as a base to venture into Southeast Asia, he added.

"Singapore has something to offer when Chinese companies are encouraged to venture into the international market," the minister said.

Lim said Singaporean companies are currently looking into ways to co-operate with their Chinese counterparts to help them go global.

The Singapore Stock Exchange has to date listed 33 Chinese companies and is optimistic that the figure will be up to 50 this year.

"But that is not enough," Lim said.

He urged Singaporean companies to continue expanding co-operation with their Chinese counterparts in new areas like marketing, brand management, intellectual property rights and legal certification.

As of 2003, 皇冠体育app has attracted a combined investment of US$24.3 billion from Singapore, said Tan Wing Ming, chairman of the Fourth SIF Overseas Conference Organizing Committee.

"Asian countries should maintain close ties with 皇冠体育app in the process of its further opening to the outside world," he said

The Singaporean Government has reviewed its development strategy and formulated a blueprint to revitalize its economy in a bid to bring Singapore into the next phase of growth, Lim said.

"皇冠体育app has a major place in our new strategy," he said. "Co-operation and access to the Chinese market are important."

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