Lee Siew Hua, Straits Times 1 Feb 08;
Tie-up with Keppel a fine example of Qatar-Singapore partnership, says SM
IN DOHA - QATAR will be an equity investor in the Tianjin eco-city being developed by Singapore and China. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong praised this new move as a 'fine example of the Qatar-Singapore partnership' that is possible as the Qataris look east for opportunities.
Keppel Corp signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Investment Authority, inviting the Qataris to be the Keppel-led Singapore consortium's first partner in the Tianjin greencity project.
The signing took place at a Doha business forum which Mr Goh spoke at on Wednesday.
The MOU signing was witnessed by Mr Goh and Qatar Finance Minister Sheikh Yousef Hussein Kamal.
Keppel Corp executive chairman Lim Chee Onn said the Tianjin model has high potential to gather world-class entities to build green communities in future.
He co-signed the MOU with Mr Hussain Al-Abdulla, a board member of the Qatar Investment Authority.
Mr Goh first mooted the eco-city idea to Beijing in April last year. He noted that Singapore had sustained rapid growth while keeping the island green and beautiful.
One green solution Singapore has deployed is waste water treatment. This is also a project that a Keppel Corp subsidiary, Keppel Seghers, is leading in Qatar.
Also on Wednesday, the foundation stone for the $1.5 billion Doha North Sewage Treatment Works was unveiled at the business forum.
Mr Goh, who is on a week-long visit to Qatar and Dubai, highlighted Singapore's strategic strengths in Asia. These can be tapped by Qatari companies seeking to make inroads into the vast Asian market, he said.
'Singapore's strategic location in Asia, and our familiarity, experience and network, will enable us to value-add to Qatari companies which seek to make inroads into Asia,' he told the forum, attended by Qatari and Singapore businessmen.
'Singapore companies also have a good international reputation as efficient, trustworthy and reliable business partners.'
In parallel, Qatar is Singapore's natural gateway to the region, and Singapore companies are keen to explore joint projects, he said.
'The Qatari leadership is committed to developing Qatar into a regional hub by investing in both physical infrastructure and human resource development,' he said.
The result: Qatar is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, he added.
Mr Kamal Kaddoura, general manager of a Doha diversified company, Al Mukhtar Contracting & Trading, who was at the forum, acknowledged Singapore's success and the role it can play.
He noted the Republic's forte in high-rise construction and green technology, and may explore partnerships in such fields.
Singapore is engaging the high growth Middle East market, and the forum is an opportunity for businessmen to come together.
Three new pacts inked to boost Singapore-Qatar links
Oh Boon Ping, Business Times 1 Feb 08;
Spring and Qatari Businessmen Association agree to help smaller firms work closer together
SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong's latest visit to Qatar saw three agreements signed between Singapore organisations and their Qatari counterparts, including stakes in an investment project and efforts to foster collaboration among the smaller firms.
At the Qatar-Singapore Business Forum yesterday, Keppel Corp sealed an agreement with the Qatar Investment Authority for the latter to take an equity stake in the Singapore Consortium for the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City project.
The 30 sq km Eco-City site straddles the districts of Hangu and Tanggu, and is within a designated resort and recreation zone in Tianjin's Binhai New Area.
The entire project will be developed in phases with the initial phase comprising an area of about three sq km.
Said Keppel executive chairman Lim Chee Onn: 'The Eco-City is envisioned to be a thriving, self-sustainable development that integrates society, the economy and the environment harmoniously to create an optimal setting for 'live-work-play'.'
At the event, Keppel also unveiled a concept proposal to transform and enhance the surrounding area of its Doha North Sewage Treatment Works into an EcoPark.
Specifically, treated water from the Doha North facility will irrigate the EcoPark to provide a green space for the local community to learn, work and play, the company said.
The facility is expected to be operational in 2010, with a peak design capacity to treat waste water of up to 439,000 cubic metres each day.
The senior minister also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Spring Singapore and the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA).
The pact aims to foster greater collaboration among the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in both countries. Spring Singapore may also share its experience in helping the SME community. The third agreement, inked between the Singapore Business Federation and the QBA, will see both parties facilitate exchanges to boost business cooperation, share information, experiences and explore business opportunities.
The aim is to spur bilateral trade. Last year, trade between Singapore and Qatar rose 60.7 per cent to $6.67 billion.
