Singapore and Ecuador seek deeper cooperation in areas including trade and food security

Singapore and Ecuador are looking to deepen cooperation in areas including food security, digitalisation and trade, as they seek to strengthen economic links between Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong with President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Noboa during Noboa’s visit to Singapore Aug. 24.

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on development cooperation on Monday, during Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s state visit to Singapore.

Noboa’s two-day trip marks the first visit by an Ecuadorian president to Singapore, with Prime Minister Lawrence describing it as an “important milestone” in bilateral relations.

“The visit reflects Ecuador’s growing interest in engaging our region,” said Mr Wong in a Facebook post on Monday. “Likewise, Singapore is keen to deepen our links with Ecuador and Latin America, and to build closer partnerships across the Pacific.”

Mr Wong said he had a “good discussion” with Mr Noboa on ways to take bilateral relations forward, including in food security, trade, logistics and digitalisation.

“I look forward to working with President Noboa to strengthen ties between our countries, and open up new opportunities for our peoples and businesses,” he said.

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also warmly welcomed his Ecuadorian counterpart during a state banquet held in Mr Noboa’s honor.