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No change in relationship between Singapore and the UK: British High Comm

SINGAPORE – Ties between Singapore and the United Kingdom will not be affected by the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, the British envoy to Singapore said on Saturday (June 25), adding that Great Britain will remain engaged in East Asia.

British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman. Photo: Angela Teng

British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman. Photo: Angela Teng

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SINGAPORE – Ties between Singapore and the United Kingdom will not be affected by the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, the British envoy to Singapore said on Saturday (June 25), adding that Great Britain will remain engaged in East Asia.

Speaking to the media on Saturday morning (June 25) British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman said: “There will be no change in nature of the relationship between Singapore and the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Lee in his Facebook post yesterday talked about the importance of the relationship and the enduring nature of that relationship and it was clear as well that that is going to continue. I am sure as well that will be the case on the UK side.”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said that the UK vote to leave the European Union is “a turning point” reflecting the anxieties of the British population, and noted that the next few years will be uncertain ones for Britain and Europe.

Mr Wightman said that the UK will continue its engagement of East Asia. “Evidently this is the most dynamic economic region in the world and because the UK has significant security interest at play in this region as well,” he said.

He noted that Singapore is home to over 1,000 British companies, with many using the Republic as a regional base to tap on the East Asian market. “They are attracted here because of the very supportive business environment that the government has created. They are attracted by the pool of talent offered here in Singapore,” he said.

Big British companies in Singapore such as Rolls Royce, Standard Chartered Bank as well as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are major employers and economic contributors to the Singapore market, Mr Wightman noted. “Singapore and the UK will continue to be very important business partners,” he said.

Commenting on the result of the Brexit referendum, the envoy said it will have a “huge impact” on UK’s relationship with Europe in the future.
“The decision of the British people in the referendum was of great significance. The people have decided they no longer want us to be a member of the European Union and there will be a change now in that relationship…but what hasn’t changed is that the UK will remain an outward facing country.” 

The country will also remain committed to global trade, as well as the G7 and the G20, Mr Wightman said. “They will remain important ways in which the UK engages with the world and pursues our interest and tries to make a positive contribution to global security and prosperity.”

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