State Banquet in Honour of Gabonese President

Your Excellency President Ali Bongo Ondimba,
Mrs Sylvia Bongo Ondimba,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with much pleasure that I warmly welcome Your Excellency, The First Lady and the members of your delegation to Singapore. We are honoured by your visit, the first State Visit to Singapore by a leader from the Gabonese Republic. I have no doubt that this visit will open up greater mutual awareness of each other and the opportunities for greater collaboration.

Singapore and Gabon established diplomatic relations in 2007. Our interactions have been limited, partly because of language, partly because of geography, and partly because of history. Traditionally, Singapore has had more interactions with African countries in the Commonwealth. 

Although we share very different colonial backgrounds, culture and language, we are brought together today by the common desire to forge a closer friendship and co-operation.  The global challenges that confront us today are similar. We live in a globally connected economy, where actions taken in one country, in one corner of the world, affect the economy of another, in a different part of the world. Singapore and Gabon have small populations that want the same things – better lives and better futures. They want governments that are responsive in shaping economies that will provide them good jobs, in diversified sectors, and sustainable growth that is environmentally responsible.    It is no accident that Gabon and Singapore are members of the Forum of Small States or FOSS.  We believe that a Forum such as FOSS is a modest attempt for states to work together in the pursuit of common interests, in an inclusive and not exclusive manner, to raise awareness about the challenges confronting small states. In this regard, Gabon and Singapore have worked well in mutual support in international fora.  I thank Your Excellency for Gabon’s past support and look forward to Your Excellency’s continued cooperation and support.

Gabon is a country blessed with many resources, such as oil, manganese, copper, gold, silver and tremendous forest reserves. These resources make Gabon an important country as they serve the needs of the industrialising world. It is therefore significant that you have launched a concerted attempt to balance the mining and use of resources with the safekeeping of the natural environment.  You are a champion of sustainable use of forests, and developing an eco-friendly regime, even as the economy diversifies to develop Gabon’s industry and services.  It is a tremendous effort and I wish you every success.

Today, Africa is considered the next growth frontier, with a growing Middle Class.  As the world faced down global recession, some parts of Africa and Asia have led the recovery, registering positive growth, with Africa expected to grow 6 percent in the next few years while Asia will grow at an average 7.3 percent.  In the last few years, more Singapore companies have been showing a greater interest in Africa. Business seminars and investment promotion activities have drawn considerable participation. When we organised the inaugural Africa Singapore Business Forum in July this year, we were gratified by the turnout of 436 participants from 32 countries. Gabon contributed a contingent to the Forum, thanks no doubt to the efforts of Your Excellency and your Government in seeking new opportunities in new areas. Your Excellency’s visit will add impetus to the growing wave of new interest between Africa and Asia.   I look forward to us forging stronger bonds of friendship and cooperation.

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

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

• The continued good health and success of His Excellency President Bongo and Mrs Bongo;
• The peace, happiness and prosperity of the people of Gabon; and
• The continued friendship and close ties between Singapore and Gabon.