MUNICH: Bilateral relations between Singapore and
the German state of Bavaria are growing.
Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam said both
sides should build on the momentum to continue exploring more ways
to deepen ties.
Dr Tan was speaking to German officials and
businessmen at a luncheon during his official visit to Munich,
Germany.
It was a wet Monday morning when President Tony Tan arrived in
Munich, the capital city of Bavaria.
But ties between Singapore and the Bavarian state could only get
warmer.
Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Head of Bavarian State
Chancellery, State Minister Thomas Kreuzer, Dr Tan said Bavaria is
one of Singapore's most important partner-states in Germany.
Dr Tan said: "Over 100 Bavarian companies have chosen to set up
base in Singapore. These include not only big companies such as
Siemens, Infineon, and BMW which has long standing relationship
with Singapore, but also Mittelstande such as Wacker-Chemie and
Rohde & Schwarz, who are the traditional backbone of the German
and Bavarian economy."
During the luncheon, the Bavarian State Minister complimented
Singapore for the way it has transformed itself from a developing
country to an industrialised nation in one generation. He adds that
Singapore is also a trailblazer in many aspects, including efforts
to conserve the environment.
Both leaders also toasted to their countries' deepening education
ties.
The Technical University Munich (TUM) set up its first overseas
campus in Singapore.
The institution, which was set up in 2002, has been able to attract
talents from the region, with 80 percent of its students from China
and India.
Dr Markus Wachter, Managing Director of TUM Asia, said: "We are
able to attract top talent to study here in Singapore that would
normally not be interested in studying in Germany, be it the
language, the culture, the climate, be it the possibilities you
find here."
TUM Asia said it is in talks with some German companies who are
keen to tap its expertise to set up their research and development
centre in Singapore.
- CNA/de
