Welcome Remarks by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the reception for overseas Singaporeans in Cambodia

Minister Gan Kim Yong

Minister of State Teo Ser Luck

Ambassador Michael Tan

Members of Parliament Lee Bee Wah and Darryl David

Fellow Singaporeans and friends

Ladies and gentlemen

First of all, Happy New Year and a very Happy Chinese New Year to come. A very good evening to you. My wife and I are very pleased to be here. Although I have visited Cambodia several times before, this is my first State Visit to this country. It is a pleasure to meet with you on our first day here.

Cambodia is one of Singapore’s oldest friends. Cambodia was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore’s independence in August 1965. Building on the friendship between our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew and the late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, Singapore’s leaders have had good ties with Cambodia’s leaders over the years. I look forward to renewing and strengthening these ties during my meetings with the royal family, Prime Minister Hun Sen, and other Cambodian leaders in the next few days. 

As old friends and fellow ASEAN countries, Singapore and Cambodia have warm and longstanding relations. Our trade and investment ties are healthy. Singapore was Cambodia’s 8^th largest trading partner and 3^rd largest investor last year. Singapore’s businesses are active in many sectors including real estate, finance, energy, agriculture, logistics, and consumer products. Singapore and Cambodia are well-connected by 43 weekly flights, paving the way for increasing people-to-people exchanges, business partnerships, and tourism flows. 

Singapore and Cambodia also collaborate closely in human resource development and training. More than 12,800 Cambodian officials have attended training courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme since its establishment in 1992, in areas which include English language, economic development, and public administration. Singapore is keen to further strengthen relations with Cambodia. Tomorrow, Prime Minister Hun Sen and I will witness the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding, which will boost the collaboration between Singapore and Cambodia in the fields of vocational education and healthcare. 

As ASEAN becomes increasingly integrated, Singapore and Cambodia will only grow closer together. I am happy to see so many Singaporeans here today, and to learn that all of you have ventured to Cambodia over the years. Some of you brought familiar Singapore hawker fare like chicken rice and bak chor mee to Cambodia’s doorsteps. Others are successful entrepreneurs, like Mr Pannirselvam, who runs a popular Indian restaurant called Dakshin’s in Siem Reap; and Nicholas Goh who started a small composting facility in Cambodia some years back, and has since grown it to produce organic soil and other eco-friendly products to help sustainable farming in Cambodia. 

I am also heartened that Singaporeans have been active in improving the lives of the Cambodian communities. For example, the Centre Director for the Boys’ Brigade Learning Centre in Siem Reap, Mr Oh Choon Aik, has been playing a key role in equipping Cambodian youths with English Language training, and imbuing them with important values and skills through recreational activities. All of you who live and work here are ambassadors of Singapore, and it is these people-to-people connections that form the strong foundations for Singapore-Cambodia ties.

Beyond building friendships with our Cambodian friends, I am glad to learn that the Singaporean community here is active and close-knit. I understand that the Singapore Club Cambodia has been organising many events for Singaporeans and their families in Cambodia to stay connected with one another, and with home. These include a regular “Shiok Night” networking event, festive get-togethers, National Day celebrations, and Family Days. I commend these efforts and hope that you will stay connected with your family and friends back home. As Singapore builds on what we have achieved as a nation, Singaporeans based overseas will continue to play an important role in the next chapter of Singapore’s journey.

My fellow Singaporeans, my wife and I and my colleagues look forward to meeting you this evening, and hearing about your experiences in Cambodia. I wish all of you, again, Happy New Year, and continued success in your endeavours. Thank you.