Jörg RANAU German Ambassador to Singapore

Q:  How would you rate Singapore as a trade partner of Germany in comparison with other fellow member nations of Asean?

A:  Germany is Singapore's main trading partner in the EU and Singapore in turn is Germany's main trading partner among the Asean countries.
In 2008 Germany increased its exports of goods to Singapore by 5-8 percent over the previous year to a record figure of € 5-3 billion with a positive trade balance of € 1,51 billion. Singapore will host next year's most important event for German business in Asia.

Q:  How would you describe the development of political ties between Germany and Singapore? The city-state is often perceived as a de facto one-party state. Isn't it a challenge (or even a hurdle) for Germany to further strengthen bilateral political relations?

A:  Germany and Singapore enjoy a close and long-standing relationship. Our cooperation is particularly vibrant in the economic and business sector. The “Singapore-Germany Declaration: the Way Ahead”, which was agreed between the two countries during the course of the visit of the Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Germany in November 2005 covers the whole spectrum of relations between our two countries and has set strategic goals for future cooperation. Of increasing importance is the scientific and educational cooperation between our two countries which, I believe, should be enhanced even further through an increased exchange of students to foster interaction and cultural understanding and more joint research programmes.

Q:  The EU has tried but made little headway in its talks with Asean to set up an FTA. What do you think are the key reasons hampering the negotiations?

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