Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, paid a bilateral visit to Singapore from 8-10 July 2010. He was accompanied by the Commerce Secretary and senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He also led a high-level CII delegation. This was Shri Anand Sharma’s first official visit to Singapore in his capacity as Minister of Commerce and Industry. He called on Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and met Foreign Minister George Yeo and Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang. In his meeting with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, they discussed opportunities for investment in India’s infrastructure development and using Singapore expertise in areas of water management, urban planning and skills development. Minister An and Sharma briefed Senior Minister on the progress in the implementation of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and areas where Singapore companies could bring in their expertise and investments.

In the meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Lim Hng Kiang, both Ministers discussed issues relating to ongoing 2nd Review of India Singapore CECA. Minister Lim Hng Kiang underscored the importance of early conclusion of India-ASEAN Agreements on Services and Investments. Shri Anand Sharma, in his meeting with Foreign Minister George Yeo, discussed bilateral relations and India’s engagement with ASEAN.

Shri Anand Sharma attended a meeting organized by Confederation of Indian Industries with Indian CEOs and industrialists in Singapore on 9 July 2010. In his address, he gave a broad overview of India’s economy and also referred to India’s engagement with Asia and in particular Singapore.   Shri Anand Sharma also delivered a public lecture on “Resurgence of Asia in 21st Century – an Indian Perspective” at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Minister Anand Sharma visited, on 10 July2010, the facilities of NEWater Plant, which showcases the advances that Singapore has made in the area of used water recycling and water management in urban situations, before returning to India.