On March 13-14, Uzbekistan delegation led by the Minister of Culture Bakhtiyor Sayfullayev visited Singapore.

According to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Singapore, during the visit, Uzbekistan delegation held meetings with the leadership of ministries of culture, community and youth, foreign affairs, as well as LASALLE College of the Arts, Islamic Religious Council and Harmony Centre of Singapore.

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu Hai Yien praised the activities of the branch of the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) in Tashkent, the high level of Uzbekistan students’ knowledge in banking, finance, hotel business and others.

Grace Fu Hai Yien noted that since her trip to Uzbekistan, she constantly advises her friends to visit the country – the cradle of renaissance of Islamic culture, the study of which should be paid special attention in Singapore. She supported the view on the need for further deepening and expanding cultural-humanitarian cooperation, giving it a stable character, including organization of Uzbekistan Culture Days in Singapore and Singapore Culture Days in Uzbekistan.

The Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman praised the recent intensification of bilateral relations and emphasized that the existence of agreements between the countries on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of concealment of income, on air traffic, as well as presence of direct air traffic, is a good prerequisite for further developing cooperation.

In this context, the Senior Minister of State asked to increase the frequency of flights between the countries, including air cargo to Singapore, which would increase the volume of tourist traffic from Singapore, including part of the 60-million transit flow through Changi Airport, as well as trade in fresh fruits and vegetables from Uzbekistan.

Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, confirming the plans of Singapore government to establish an Islamic College, emphasized that rich Islamic culture of Uzbekistan could enrich the school of Islam in Singapore. He supported the idea of further elaboration of the issue on sending Singapore teachers and students to study the true foundations of Islamic studies and culture at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.

Following the meeting, the Senior Minister of State noted that he looks forward to his visit to Uzbekistan on April 2-5 to establish friendly contacts with heads and representatives of a number of ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan, as well as to discuss and become familiar with promising areas of trade-economic, investment, cultural-humanitarian cooperation between the countries.

President of LASALLE College of the Arts Steve Dixon acquainted with existing infrastructure and college departments, where 2750 students are trained. The Singaporean party gratefully accepted the offer of Uzbekistan delegation about creation of the “Corner of scientific-cultural literature of the Republic of Uzbekistan" at the college library.

An agreement was reached on preparation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Conservatory of Uzbekistan and LASALLE College of the Arts, organization of a fashion show, ceramics and photo exhibitions of Uzbekistan sculptors and photographers at the college.

During the visit to the Harmony Centre at An-Nahdhah Mosque and meeting with Deputy Chief Executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and Dean of MUIS Academy Albakri Ahmad, information was provided on peaceful coexistence of representatives of 10 different religions in Singapore and activity carried out by the Centre to promote the ideas of interreligious tolerance.

Following the meeting, the Minister of Culture Bakhtiyor Sayfullayev invited the leadership of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore to visit Uzbekistan.

Source: UzA