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The Istana
Speeches

Speech by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the State Banquet in Honour of President of The Republic of Ecuador Daniel Noboa Azín on Monday, 24 August 2026 at Goodwood Park Hotel

24 August 2026

  1. Let me begin by extending a very warm welcome to President Noboa and to all our friends from Ecuador to Singapore. I deeply appreciate your presence here.

  2. Your visit marks a new chapter in the friendship between our two countries. Since establishing diplomatic relations a little over 30 years ago, Singapore and Ecuador have enjoyed warm ties. Today, we can build on this foundation and create new opportunities to deepen our cooperation.

Geography

  1. At first glance, Singapore and Ecuador may seem very different. But more connects us than meets the eye.

  2. We are separated by the vast Pacific Ocean and almost as far apart as two countries can be in longitude. But that belies how remarkably close we are in latitude. Ecuador takes its name from the Equator, which passes through its territory. Singapore lies just one degree north of the Equator.

  3. There are deeper connections too. We are both maritime nations with a long history of looking outward – using the oceans for connectivity and trade, and to build friendships and partnerships around the world. As maritime nations, we share a joint interest in upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation, and in preserving the broader rules-based international order.

Trade and Economy

  1. We both recognise the importance of openness to trade and investment.

    1. The Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force for Singapore, Chile and Peru in May 2025, was a significant milestone in Singapore’s engagement with Latin America. We want to deepen our economic links with the wider Latin American region.

    2. In this context, Singapore warmly welcomes Ecuador’s application to become an Associate State of the Pacific Alliance. This will open up more economic opportunities between us bilaterally.

Agri-trade

  1. One promising area is agriculture and food.

    1. Ecuador has rich agricultural and marine resources, including bananas, cocoa, and shrimp. Cocoa is one area in which Ecuador excels, drawing on generations of knowledge, tradition and craft.

    2. Singapore companies see the potential.

      1. Olam Food Ingredients, through its local subsidiary Olam Ecuador, has operated in Ecuador since 2011 and works on sustainable cocoa initiatives.

      2. PSA Marine provides pilotage and boat services in the ports of Guayaquil and Posorja.

      3. DiMuto, an agri-trade company, has worked with Ecuadorian partners to digitise and trace agricultural exports to Asian markets.

    3. These are good examples of what our partnership can become – combining capabilities in ways that create value and open new markets.

Bridging Latin Aerica and ASEAN

  1. More broadly, we are both gateways to our respective regions.

    1. Ecuador is well-positioned to connect the Pacific coast of South America, and can help Singapore companies access opportunities in the Andean region and the wider markets of Latin America.

    2. Singapore, as a member of ASEAN and a leading maritime and logistics hub, can serve a similar role for Ecuadorian companies looking to connect with Southeast Asian supply chains, investors, and consumers.

Environment and Urban Development

  1. There is much we can learn from one another in preserving our natural and cultural heritage.

  2. Ecuador has five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic City of Quito, the Galápagos Islands, and Sangay National Park.

  3. Despite being a tiny city state – less than 10 percent the size of the Galápagos Islands – Singapore too is determined to integrate greenery in our urban landscape, so that we are a ‘City in Nature’.

    1. The Singapore Botanic Gardens, our first UNESCO World Heritage Site, embodies this. The Gardens bring together nature, science, conservation, and community in the heart of our city.

Technical Cooperation

  1. Singapore and Ecuador have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation. The MOU is a starting point to strengthen our partnership in areas of mutual priority such as trade, education, governance, digitalisation, and public health.

  2. Ultimately, the foundations of any bilateral relationship are built not just through agreements, but through the people who give them meaning and momentum.

  3. We should create more opportunities for our people – business people, public servants, and youths – to meet and engage. It is through these personal relationships that the most enduring forms of cooperation take root.

  4. Your Excellency, our countries may appear distant on a map, but distance does not determine the depth of a partnership. Shared purpose does. Your visit reflects our shared purpose to build on our friendship and find more ways for us to work together both bilaterally and regionally.

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

  1. May I now invite you to rise and join me in a toast:

    1. To the good health, happiness and success of His Excellency President Daniel Noboa Azín and his family;

    2. To the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the Republic of Ecuador and its people; and

    3. To the enduring friendship between Singapore and Ecuador, and ever-stronger ties between Latin America and Southeast Asia.

¡Salud! (Sa-lood)

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