Mexico offers wide range of economic opportunities as Singapore grows global ties: President Tharman

Investing in stronger ties with Mexico is part of Singapore’s efforts to diversify its network in an unpredictable world, with the Latin American country offering a wide range of economic opportunities, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Dec 3.

- Lee Li Ying

Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi, touring the exhibits of The Acapulco-Manila Galleon: We are the Pacific, A World Born of the Tropics, ahead of the exhibition's inauguration at the College of San Ildefonso on Dec 3. With them are, (from left) National Gallery Singapore curators Teo Hui Min and Cheng Jia Yun and National Gallery Singapore CEO Eugene Tan. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

(ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG)

While countries like Mexico are keen to work with Singapore and hold it in “very high regard”, the Republic must also have humility and recognise that it will gain from such partnerships, said Mr Tharman as he concluded the last of his state visits for the year.

“So when we talk about working with Mexico or any country, we are also talking about a two-way flow of know-how and intelligence and ideas, that will strengthen Singapore too. The Singapore know-how will grow,” he added.

Speaking to reporters at the end of his four-day trip to Mexico, Mr Tharman said Mexico's diversity offers market access for Singapore’s exports and support for food security. It also offers ideas, which could come from its deep pools of talent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Other countries that Mr Tharman visited in 2025 include India, Egypt, Belgium and Luxembourg.

The global instability is likely to persist for some time, noted Mr Tharman. “But stronger bilateral relationships, and stronger relationships between regions, are one of the ways we gain resilience in an unstable world.”