Singapore, UAE can do more to connect their businesses and investors: PM Wong

He is in the United Arab Emirates for an official visit from Oct 20 to 22. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Straits TimesWong Yang2026-10-21 15:40查看原文 ↗

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met business leaders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi on Oct 20 with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE WONG/FACEBOOK

Published Oct 21, 2026, 03:40 PM

Updated Oct 21, 2026, 03:40 PM

SINGAPORE - Singapore and the UAE have scope to deepen cooperation beyond government partnerships and do more to connect their businesses and investors, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He said this on social media after a meeting with business leaders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi on Oct 20, as part of an official visit to the Emirates.

Earlier in the day, he also met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed ways to learn from each country’s experiences.

PM Wong said the UAE has considerable strengths in energy, not just in oil and gas but also in renewables and nuclear power.

The Emirates is also investing heavily in new capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence and defence technologies, added PM Wong.

As these areas also interest Singapore, both sides can explore new opportunities and build on each other’s strengths, he said.

The event was hosted by the chair of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Affairs Authority, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, who is also the group chief executive of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala.

PM Wong is in Abu Dhabi for the second leg of his trip to the Middle East, which began in Qatar on Oct 18.

Earlier on Oct 20, during his meeting with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, the two leaders exchanged views on how their countries can prepare for the future while staying rooted in their heritage and values and putting their people’s well-being first.

Noting that the UAE is a longstanding partner of Singapore, PM Wong said: “We share many priorities, and there is much we can learn from each other’s experiences and approaches.”

His visit is an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new areas of cooperation, especially amid growing global uncertainty, added PM Wong.

PM Wong is also scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

He will then travel to Dubai for the final stop of the trip, which ends on Oct 22.

The UAE is Singapore’s largest trading partner in the Middle East. In 2025, bilateral trade in goods hit $27.9 billion, and bilateral trade in services reached $12.8 billion in 2024.

In September, Singapore’s investment company Temasek announced plans to open offices in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh , Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2027 to expand its presence in the Middle East.

Both countries also recently deepened economic ties through the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum, which was held in Singapore in September.

Wong Yang is a journalist who covers politics and policy.

United Arab Emirates

10月20日，总理黄循财在阿布扎比会见了阿联酋商界领袖，外交部长维文·巴拉克里希南和能源、贸易及工业部长（能源和工业）陈世龙也出席了会见。

照片：LAWRENCE WONG/FACEBOOK

发布于2026年10月21日下午3:40

更新于2026年10月21日下午3:40

新加坡——新加坡总理黄循财表示，新加坡和阿联酋有空间在政府伙伴关系之外深化合作，并进一步加强两国企业和投资者之间的联系。

10 月 20 日，他在阿布扎比与阿联酋商界领袖会面后，在社交媒体上发表了上述言论。此次会面是他正式访问阿联酋的一部分。

当天早些时候，他还与阿布扎比王储谢赫·哈立德·本·穆罕默德·本·扎耶德·阿勒纳哈扬会面，讨论了如何从各国的经验中学习。

黄英贤总理表示，阿联酋在能源领域拥有相当大的优势，不仅包括石油和天然气，还包括可再生能源和核能。

黄总理补充说，阿联酋也在大力投资发展新能力，尤其是在人工智能和国防技术领域。

他表示，由于这些领域也是新加坡感兴趣的领域，双方可以探索新的机遇，并发挥各自的优势。