Photo: Department of Defence Ministers

Singapore is a key partner for Australia in Southeast Asia. It is our largest trade and investment partner in the region and our fifth largest trading partner overall. We hold joint military exercises and cooperate closely on defence intelligence, science and technology.

We will meet Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss ways for our two countries to work even closer together bilaterally and through regional forums including the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum.

Our Singaporean counterpart ministers will host the 10th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC), a biennial high level dialogue held between our countries since 1996. During the SAJMC we will explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and share perspectives on a range of regional economic and strategic issues.

Minister Bishop will co-host with Singaporean Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Josephine Teo a high-level Women’s Dialogue, bringing together senior Singaporean and Australian business and government representatives to promote gender inclusive strategies for corporate boards.

While in Singapore, Minister Ciobo will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Tourism Cooperation, including research and data sharing to promote travel and boost tourism.

Minister Payne will sign the Pearce Treaty to enable the Republic of Singapore Air Force to continue its training at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.

Ministers Payne and Ciobo will also lead a business delegation to explore trade opportunities created by the CSP on 21 and 22 August. The delegation, with a strong contingent from North Queensland, will focus on defence, construction and engineering, and communication and technology services.