MILAN, Italy: Don't miss the boat to Asia's economic growth -
that's Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's message to Italy's
richest region, Lombardy.
Mr Goh is now in Milan, as part of his visit to boost Singapore's
bilateral cooperation with Italy.
The meeting with Lombardy President Roberto Formigoni must be the
Senior Minister's most important in Italy, second only to his
audience with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
Lombardy's gross domestic product in 2003 was the highest for a
region in Italy, as well as the whole of the European Union.
In their meeting, Mr Goh expressed his desire for Singapore and
Lombardy to work together in international economic collaborations
that are mutually beneficial, and suggested that Lombardy establish
an Italy Centre in Singapore to act as a hub for small and medium
sized enterprises in Italy to get the connections and information
for business opportunities in Singapore and the rest of Asia.
Using an analogy inspired by Singapore's reputation as a hub, Mr
Goh urged Mr Formigoni "not to miss the boat" in Asia, that is
docked in Singapore.
The two leaders agreed there should be an exchange of business
delegations from both sides to further explore economic
cooperation.
Mr Goh also met top members of Italy's business community at
Lombardy's Chamber of Commerce, as well as at Banca Intesa, soon to
be Europe's third largest banking institution.
An example of a success story in this Singapore courtship of
Italy's commercial capital is Nanyang Technological University,
which will launch a postgraduate programme with the oldest Master
design school in Lombardy, the Domus Academy - an initiative both
leaders of Singapore and Lombardy have called, 'extremely
important'.
The Memorandum of Understanding was inked by the President of Domus
Academy and the Dean of NTU's School of Art, Design and
Media.
The signing was witnessed by Senior Minister Goh and the Italian
Ambassador to Singapore. - CNA /dt
It is amazing when the Poodle goes oversea on tax payer money with
no impact and effect on the economy.
Are they just learning their lesson from Ah Bian in using their
official visit for private visit.
