Predictability, stability are assets for small states: President Tharman

They can also build expertise, work together to thrive in a changing world

- Clement Tan

Singapore will need to stay predictable and stable, while building deep expertise in some areas, to thrive in a changing world rife with uncertainties, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He was speaking to Singapore media towards the end of his six-day trip on state visits to Belgium and Luxembourg.

"There's a remarkable alignment in our thinking and in our resolve in how to stay relevant as small countries, and play a responsible role in today's world," said Mr Tharman, referring to national and business leaders he met in both countries.

"We can see the world is changing. We also know there's just a very high degree of uncertainty. In other words, we can't actually see how the world will change in the years to come," Mr Tharman said. "We nevertheless have to survive, we've got to thrive, and we've got to contribute to the global good."

The first state visits by a Singapore leader to Belgium and Luxembourg come amid significant shifts in the world, with the Trump administration upending longstanding US commitments to the post-Cold War order and imposing trade tariffs on its closest allies.

The evolving world order was a topic of discussion on the trip, and Belgium's King Philippe and Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri touched on it in state banquets they hosted.

"The very foundations of our world order that has brought us stability, peace and prosperity since the end of the Second World War are in danger," Grand Duke Henri said on March 27. "As the basic rules of mutual respect and international law are no longer being observed, our open economies that depend on free trade and the rule of law have become very vulnerable. The political stability we have been able to provide our citizens may be at risk," he added.

President Tharman met business leaders in Belgium from sectors ranging from offshore engineering to biomedical technology and sustainability, as well as financial sector leaders in Luxembourg.