President Tony Tan urges Singapore, Bavaria to deepen ties

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