Singapore, Indonesia ink pacts to deepen ties

Singapore and Indonesia signed two agreements to further cooperation in electronic government or e-government and for youth and sports development aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The tie-ups were inked during Indonesia President Joko Widodo's first state visit to Singapore on Tuesday. Mr Joko is accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and a high-level ministerial delegation. He attended a welcome ceremony at the Istana upon arrival, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. Earlier today, Mr Joko called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam as well as met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who will host Mr Joko and his delegation to lunch. Mr Joko and Mr Lee witnessed the signing of the MoUs.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for e-government includes sharing knowledge and experience as well as exploring possible bilateral projects of mutual interest. The MoU was signed by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Singapore's Minister for Communications and Information and Yuddy Chrisnandi, Indonesia's Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform.

The MOU on youth and sports, which could also involve joint training sessions involving both countries' sports team at national and regional levels, was signed by Indonesia's Minister for Youth & Sports Imam Nahrawi and Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong.