Cementing a strategic partnership for the future
New German ambassador to Singapore has a strong foundation on which to further build Singapore-German bilateral relations
IN AN era marked by uncertainty amid global challenges, from geopolitical turmoil to climate change, the bilateral relations between Germany and Singapore have only grown stronger.
In April, then deputy prime minister Lawrence Wong called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, and announced the upgrading of relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership.
It is in this spirit of heightened commitment that ambassador Dr Bettina Fanghaenel begins her role in Singapore and she is eager to further nurture the bilateral relationship. She succeeds Dr Norbert Riedel as Germany’s ambassador to Singapore.
“As I begin my tenure with such a significant objective in place, I couldn’t ask for a stronger foundation on which our two countries can build,” she said.
Partnership in action
Dr Fanghaenel believes that Germany and Singapore are already “natural strategic partners”.
Over the years, there have been a series of agreements that outline the areas of cooperation between the two countries.
In particular, the Joint Declaration, “Partners for a Resilient and Sustainable Future”, signed in 2022, highlights both countries agreeing to deepen existing areas of defence and economic cooperation, and new areas such as sustainability and digitalisation.
More recently, the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement concluded in July, will strengthen digital connectivity and interoperability between the two markets by facilitating digitally enabled trade in goods and services, and ensuring free flow of cross-border data.
With these agreements, Dr Fanghaenel is enthused that collaborations will be prioritised on both sides as they embark on joint projects.
“Formally announcing our strategic partnership and finalising a joint working programme will set an ambitious agenda for all areas of cooperation on the political level, as well as between our businesses and academic institutions,” she said. This year alone, there have been talks between members of the German federal government with their counterparts in Singapore, while high-ranking delegates from federal state governments and institutions have visited Singapore. At the same time, similar Singapore delegations have also made trips to Germany.
Notably, the Federal State Government of Baden-Wuerttemberg opened a Baden-Wuerttemberg Singapore office during its visit in March this year.
The office supports businesses in the region looking to expand to and invest in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, and vice versa. It also serves to corroborate research collaboration, investment in new technologies and new approaches to education, specifically vocational training.
“All these visits provide important momentum and pave the way for further significant agreements and collaborations at the working level. I very much welcome the intense flow of bilateral visits at all levels between Germany and Singapore,” she said.
Mutual growth
Economic cooperation between Germany and Singapore continues to be strong despite global market uncertainty.
German companies continue to see the Republic as an attractive base to expand to Asia, while Singapore businesses are increasingly recognising Germany’s strategic position as a gateway to Europe. Both countries share similar sectors of growth including manufacturing, technology and innovation, and in emerging areas such as the green economy, clean and medical technology.
The establishment of Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), Germany’s international economic promotion agency, in Singapore earlier in March, further demonstrates the mutual recognition of both countries as essential bridges to their respective regions.
Robert Hermann, chief executive officer, GTAI, reports that interest from Singapore companies in going to Germany continues to be strong. Expansions from Singapore to Germany have also increased since 2019 in a wide spectrum of sectors, including real estate, software, communications, biotechnology and semiconductors.
Germany also offers cleantech companies from Singapore and South-east Asia an opportunity to participate in the industrial transformation towards greater climate neutrality, he noted.
He added that the number of greenfield and brownfield investments by companies from Singapore has consistently remained in double digits – a further testament to Germany’s appeal as a business location.
“The existence of GTAI is a testament to the German government’s commitment to economic globalism. We believe that prosperity can best be achieved by working together. GTAI’s first regional hub location in Singapore marks a significant milestone in fostering bilateral relations between Singapore, the Asean region and Germany,” he added.
With a shared priority in tackling climate change, Singapore and Germany have also redoubled cooperation efforts on sustainability, particularly in research.
Earlier this year, the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research published a joint call for German-Singaporean research projects in the area of circular economy, while the Max Planck Society, Germany’s premier non-university research organisation, Nanyang Technological University, and National University of Singapore, will work together on the sustainable conversion of biomass.
These join the already many ongoing joint research projects in science, medicine and engineering by German research institutions in Singapore, such as TUM Asia and TUM Create by Technical University Munich, the Fraunhofer Society and Technical University Braunschweig.
Securing stability
For cooperation and dialogue to continue unabated, there also needs to be stability in the region.
Dr Fanghaenel said: “Singapore and Germany share common views on advocating for free trade and upholding international order and the principles of international law.”
The German Navy’s Indo-Pacific deployment this year is part of its defence diplomacy. Two German federal ships – the frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg, accompanied by the supply vessel Frankfurt am Main – will make a port call in Singapore this month.
“Free-trade routes and maritime security are of vital importance to an open, globally oriented economy. To fully harness the benefits of increasing economic interdependence, we aim to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” said Dr Fanghaenel.
Singapore and Germany have long enjoyed close defence relations with joint exercises between their armed forces through the years.
Additionally, they are strengthening defence and security relations with each other, including in the growing field of cybersecurity.
As Germany celebrates its anniversary of the Day of German Unity on Oct 3, Dr Fanghaenel is reminded of the similarities between what it signifies – reconciliation and unity – with this year’s Singapore National Day theme of Together, As One United People.
“Stability and peace for one country will always be dependent on stability and peace in other countries and regions,” said the ambassador.
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