The Covid-19 pandemic has brought Singapore and New Zealand closer together, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.
He and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had called each other regularly to exchange notes on their experiences, PM Lee said, adding that both countries’ ministers and officials also regularly exchange information about the virus.
PM Lee was giving a toast speech at an official lunch for Ms Ardern, who arrived in Singapore on Monday for a three-day visit.
In the early days of the pandemic when many flights were cancelled, both countries helped to bring each other’s citizens home, said PM Lee.
When borders were shut and supply chains disrupted, both sides formed an air freight connectivity partnership to keep food and medical supplies flowing between the two countries.
“In fact, the first such Singapore to New Zealand flight in April 2020 also carried nine New Zealanders back home, including a baby,” said PM Lee.
In May 2020, Singapore and New Zealand also jointly launched a repatriation flight to bring their citizens home from Myanmar.
PM Lee said the strong bilateral cooperation between the countries is anchored on longstanding friendship and trust that have been built up over decades.
“With similar outlooks on trade liberalisation and economic integration, we joined hands on many path-finding economic initiatives,” he said.
Singapore’s first bilateral free trade agreement was with New Zealand, while Singapore was New Zealand’s second bilateral free trade agreement partner after Australia.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin April 20, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin April 20, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
SPANKED LIONS WILL LEARN
Ogura apologises, but insists they must challenge themselves and rivals to improve
'LEADER' MBAPPE OOZES LUXE
France skipper plays part in all three goals against Luxembourg in friendly victory
CONFIDENCE SOARING, SWIATEK WHIPS GAUFF
Dominant Pole a step away from third straight title; Djokovic has op on right knee
CELTICS READY TO GET JOB DONE
Boston stars Tatum and Brown will draw from past failures in bid for elusive title
MEAGHER EYEING ELUSIVE BOWL
Australian handler bullish about his rising star Lim’s Saltoro lifting Group 3 feature
US to open antitrust probes of Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAI
Intensifying scrutiny of Al industry comes amid questions of tech giants’ dominance
Strong rebound in US services sector makes rate cuts less likely
Meanwhile, job market is normalising with better balance between supply and demand
4 bus passengers, pedestrian taken to hospital after Jalan Besar crash
Four bus passengers, including a 93-year-old, and a pedestrian were taken to hospital after an accident on June 6 involving a Tower Transit bus and trailer truck near Sim Lim Tower in Jalan Besar.
Putin says US court system is being used against Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 5 that his country did not care who wins the US presidency, as this would probably not change anything for Moscow, but he said the US court system was clearly being used in a political battle against Donald Trump.
Israel behind influence op targeting US lawmakers over Gaza
Campaign uses fake accounts to post pro-Israel comments on social media