Singaporeans in Cambodia, led by the Embassy celebrated their country’s 58th National Day with friends from the Kingdom and other countries in a glittering and wholehearted social gathering at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra on Thursday.
Singapore’s National Day is celebrated every year on August 9 in commemoration of its independence from Malaysia in 1965.
In the ‘Lion City’, this holiday features the National Day Parade, the National Day Message by the Prime Minister of Singapore, and fireworks celebrations.
Meanwhile, Singaporean embassies and communities around the world also do their part to celebrate the island-state’s biggest holiday.
The event on Thursday was presided over by Singapore Ambassador to Cambodia Teo Lay Cheng, while Ing Kantha Phavi, Cambodia’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, appeared as the special guest of honour representing the Kingdom.
It also saw the attendance of senior officials from various ministries, other embassies, and private companies.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Teo said Cambodia and Singapore have been great allies, but the close ties between the two Southeast Asian countries are only heading to a higher level.
‘Singapore has come a long way. However, we cannot take our progress for granted,’ she said. ‘The world is changing, and we must change along with it. Singapore has one thing going for it. We are a nation of dreamers and doers. A nation of builders and creators.
‘Over the years, we have developed a well-educated workforce, robust infrastructure, and a stable political system.
We are also a trusted and respected member of the international community. Imbedded in our DNA is a strong culture of innovation, drive, determination, and entrepreneurship. We can overcome all challenges. Just like we did before.’
‘But Singapore cannot do it alone. We must continue to remain open and work with like-minded friends like Cambodia,’ she added.
In her remarks, Kantha Phavi expressed hers and the Kingdom’s appreciation for all the help Singapore has given to Cambodia, including scholarships for Cambodian students.
She went to reaffirm the Cambodian government’s commitment to boost the two countries’ bilateral ties and cooperation further in the future.
In the past year, Singapore and Cambodia have seen cooperation grow across a wide spectrum of areas.
According to statistics from the Embassy, Singapore was Cambodia’s third-largest foreign investor in 2021 and its fifth-largest trading partner in 2022.
Meanwhile, investments from Singaporean entrepreneurs in Cambodia grew by 63% in 2020, and bilateral trade grew by 20% in 2021.
In July, Cambodia welcomed the first ever business mission from the Singapore Business Federation since the onset of COVID-19.
Also in July, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the National Bank of Cambodia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate trade and cross-border financial services between SMEs in Singapore and Cambodia.
In March, the two countries’ respective credit bureaus signed an agreement for the cross-border sharing of credit reports.
The Riel is also now available for the first time at Travelex money exchange counters in Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Source: Anadolu Agency