[ CNA ] Singapore and Vietnam sign 5 agreements, MOUs across defence, trade and social sectors
Singapore and Vietnam signed five agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on Friday (Feb 25), aimed at strengthening cooperation in defence, the digital economy and intellectual property among other areas.
The signing by ministers and senior officials from both countries was witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Mr Phuc is on a three-day visit to Singapore from Feb 24 to 26 – marking the first state visit Singapore has received since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.
The bilateral agreements will “further strengthen the multifaceted cooperation between Singapore and Vietnam”, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA
The two countries renewed the bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), building on the first DCA that was signed in 2009.
Under the renewed DCA, both sides commit to conducting regular policy dialogues and exchanges; enhancing cooperation and promoting closer interaction between both countries’ armies; and cooperating in areas of “mutual interest” such as military medicine and counter-terrorism.
An MOU on economic and trade cooperation was also signed, covering areas such as supporting regional and global supply chain connectivity and facilitating business partnerships, said Singapore’s Trade and Industry Ministry (MTI).
It will also deepen agri-trade cooperation, such as by supporting information sharing and training on best practices, certification and standards in the agriculture industry.
In addition, the MOU aims to enhance cooperation in the industrial and energy sectors, while facilitating greater collaboration between Singaporean and Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises.
In addition, both sides signed an implementation workplan on intellectual property for FY2022 to FY2024, stemming from a memorandum signed in 2014.
The cooperation will include exchanges in areas such as IP training and commercialisation.
It will also lay the ground for more discussions to finalise details on the proposed launch of a pilot Collaborative Search and Examination (CS&E) programme. The programme will foster exchanges of best practices between both sides’ intellectual property offices, among other initiatives.
Finally, an MOU promoting cooperation between Singapore’s People’s Association and the Vietnam Fatherland Front was renewed.
This involves a “mutually beneficial exchange programme”, allowing both sides to exchange experiences “in promoting social cohesion and community building”, said MFA.
It will also allow them to exchange “ideas on ways to better connect the people and the Government”.