Brussels, March 24 – Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will embark on a three-day visit to Belgium from March 24 to 26, marking a significant step in Belgium’s push to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations with Asian nations.
The visit follows Belgium’s recent trade mission to India, signaling an increased focus on collaboration with the East.
The Belgian Foreign Affairs Ministry highlighted Singapore’s rapid economic progress and governance excellence, emphasizing the importance of fostering closer cooperation in a world facing geopolitical uncertainties.
“In a context of international turbulence and uncertainty that is putting pressure on multilateral institutions, it is important to strengthen bilateral relations and explore closer modes of cooperation with countries from diverse backgrounds,” the Ministry stated.
High-Level Meetings and Ceremonial Engagements
President Shanmugaratnam and his wife will be received by Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Palace in Brussels on Monday, March 24.
The couple will then participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before attending meetings with representatives of the Chamber and the Senate at the Federal Parliament.
Later in the day, the Singaporean leader is set to meet Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, followed by discussions with Brussels’ Mayor Philippe Close.
The first day will conclude with a traditional state banquet at the Castle of Laeken, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the visit.
Trade and Port Cooperation Take Centre Stage
On Tuesday, March 25, the focus will shift to economic partnerships, particularly in maritime trade. The Singaporean delegation will visit the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, one of Europe’s largest ports and a crucial hub for Belgium-Singapore trade relations.
The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), which operates three terminals at the Belgian port, facilitates 80% of the container shipments passing through Antwerp-Bruges.
During the visit, the new facilities of the Europa Terminal will be inaugurated, further strengthening logistics collaboration between the two nations.
Following the port visit, President Shanmugaratnam will lunch with Cathy Berx, Governor of the Province of Antwerp.
In the afternoon, the Belgian and Singaporean heads of state will engage in a round-table discussion on social cohesion and integration, drawing from their shared experiences as multi-ethnic and multilingual nations.
Exploring Belgian Economic Activity in Singapore
The third and final day of the visit will be dedicated to exploring Belgium’s economic footprint in Singapore. With a Belgian expatriate community of 1,500, the city-state hosts the second-largest Belgian population in Southeast Asia.
Belgian businesses active in Singapore will present their operations, highlighting the deepening economic connections between the two nations.
A key meeting at the Federation of Belgian Companies headquarters will see Belgian business leaders exchanging insights on future economic cooperation with Singapore.
As Belgium continues to forge stronger ties with Asia, this visit underscores the nation’s strategic push to build robust partnerships in trade, governance, and diplomacy.
With both countries sharing a commitment to innovation and international collaboration, the discussions are expected to pave the way for deeper bilateral engagements in the years ahead.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
