FUJIAN-SINGAPORE VISIT PROMOTES BUSINESS COOPERATION, CULTURAL EXCHANGES

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Fujian delegation to Singapore has organised extensive activities to promote business cooperation and cultural exchanges, as well as visited Fujian communities on a three-day visit, beginning May 15.

With the aim of deepening friendship and upgrading the cooperation between Fujian and Singapore, the visit sought to tap into the strengths of both sides and achieve win-win outcomes.

According to the Information Office of Fujian Provincial People's Government in a statement, the delegation was led by Secretary of Fujian Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Fujian Provincial People's Congress, Zhou Zuyi.

Singapore has been a major destination for Fujian migrants in the past few centuries, and one of the first countries to participate in Fujian's opening up and development after the implementation of China's reform and opening up policy.

At present, around 1.63 million overseas Chinese in Singapore are of Fujian origin. With geographical proximity and cultural affinity, Fujian and Singapore have maintained frequent exchanges in various fields.

After China and Singapore established diplomatic relations in 1990, Fujian-Singapore cooperation has gained a stronger momentum in the fields of science and technology, education, health, culture and tourism, adding impetus to the development of both sides.

In 2022, two-way trade between Fujian and Singapore amounted to 27.14 billion Chinese yuan, an increase of 36.8 per cent year-on-year. By 2022-end, Singapore had invested in 1,833 projects in Fujian Province, with a total contractual investment of US$11.87 billion. (US$1=RM4.54)

The Department of Commerce of Fujian Province and the International Enterprise Singapore and other institutions jointly held a series of promotional events including the China (Fujian)-Singapore Symposium on Economic, Trade, and Financial Cooperation in 2023.

The events served to encourage leading Singaporean enterprises to leverage their advantages in capital, technology, equipment and products, and establish operations in Fujian, thus driving related industries in Fujian toward higher-quality development and further enhancing economic and trade cooperation between both sides.

-- BERNAMA