Senior Minister of State (SMS), Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman visited the Republic of Botswana from 5 to 6 September 2016, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from 6 to 10 September 2016.  SMS Maliki’s visit was part of a series of ministerial visits from Singapore to Sub-Saharan Africa aimed at signalling our growing political and economic relations with the region.

In Botswana, SMS Maliki met Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration (and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) Eric Molale.  Both sides affirmed the strong existing cooperation between Singapore and Botswana, and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen ties and enhance business and investment links between the two countries. SMS Maliki also visited the Botswana Public Service College, and engaged with senior Botswana officials participating in a course co-facilitated by the Civil Service College (CSC) entitled “Managing Complexity”.  As part of his visit, SMS Maliki also met five Singaporeans based in Botswana engaged in various sectors such as business, consulting and ICT.

In Ethiopia, SMS Maliki met Minister of Foreign Affairs Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Culture and Tourism Aisha Mohammed, State Minister of Urban Development and Housing Demissie Shito, State Minister of Industry Mebrahtu Melesand, and Vice President of the Harari Regional State Hamza Mohammed.  SMS Maliki reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ethiopia by increasing political and economic links, as well as people-to-people and cultural ties. SMS Maliki and the respective Ethiopian Ministers also exchanged views on regional developments in the Horn of Africa and on Ethiopia’s developmental plans. SMS Maliki also delivered the opening remarks at the Singapore-Ethiopia Business Forum organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) in conjunction with the visit. A transcript of SMS’ remarks is appended below. 

SMS Maliki was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.