region around us, and see Singaporean business do better in Australia.
Strengthening our existing defence relationship is another priority. We will jointly develop military training areas and facilities in Australia, to provide enhanced military training access for Singapore in Australia over 25 years. We will continue Exercise TRIDENT as the signature bilateral joint military exercise. Among other initiatives we are further developing science and technology cooperation.
The two countries will accelerate our collaboration in innovation, science, research and technology, capitalising on our respective and complementary strengths. We are building agency-to-agency innovation and science engagement between Australia and Singapore, such as CSIRO and A*Star. As an example, Australia has located one of its five global “landing pads” for market-ready start-ups in Singapore – at BASH - which will assist start-ups to “think global” by linking them into entrepreneur and capital networks and industry value chains, accelerating their business development and growth. Austrade already has four Australian start-ups at BASH, with more to follow.
We are doing a lot of further building of people-to-people links. We are establishing a pilot internship program for Singapore students in Australia.
We are Building Relations through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE) – in which up to 8 Singaporean schools participate. The cultural relationship is being enhanced through the creation of the Australia-Singapore Arts Group. A reciprocal Work and Holiday Maker Programme is being established. A Tourism MOU between DFAT and the Singapore Tourism Board is being finalised to facilitate future collaboration, and work is underway to facilitate travel through a multi-year visa for Singaporeans.
AAS: The world is seeing the rise of protectionism. What can we do as Alumni business leaders in the region to drive trade or to strengthen or improve our trading systems in the face of increasing geopolitical and economic uncertainty?
BG: We are seeing increased protectionism globally, but Australia and Singapore are both committed to free trade. We are both involved in many bilateral trade agreements, and regional agreements such as the TPP and RCEP, as well as APEC. Most importantly we are each a strong supporter of an open, global trade regime, and a multilateral rules-based system. Our work together to support the WTO is particularly important.
Protectionism is a direct threat to our prosperity. It can ultimately lead to conflict. What is most important is that all those who understand and appreciate the perils of protectionism support efforts to keep markets open, and engage in the public debate on such matters.
AAS: Given your leadership track record in both Austrade and the WTO throughout your career, what do you see as the challenges and opportunities for bilateral trade between our two countries?
BG: There’s a lot happening that’s very good and a lot more that is possible. Australia’s own National Innovation and Science Agenda sets out areas of capability and needed improvements, as does the plan released by Singapore’s Committee on the Future Economy. The CSP gives us a good framework for work. Business services, wealth management, fintech, biotech and healthcare, better cities, cyber security, skilling and education are just some examples. We need Singaporean capital to reach our full potential and to secure that we have to provide the right investment opportunities. Also, Singapore’s reach across the region is a valuable asset that offers much to Australian business.
Video: Highlights of Prime Minister Lee Hsein Long's press conference on the signing the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on 29 June 2015.