The Head of State receives Senior Minister of the Republic of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Senior Minister of the Republic of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong at the Akorda Presidential Palace.

The Head of State emphasized that the visit of Lee Hsien Loong to Kazakhstan has a deep symbolic and historic meaning.

- Exactly 35 years ago, in September 1991 - at the dawn of Kazakhstan's Independence - your late father Lee Kuan Yew visited our nation in the same official capacity. His historic visit laid a solid foundation for our bilateral relations. We highly value Singapore's visionary leadership and its remarkable transformation into a global hub for finance, trade, innovation, and technology. Your nation's experience serves as an inspiring blueprint for the entire international community, - the President said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out that the dynamic development of bilateral relations has been featured by regular political dialogue, growing trade turnover, and an accelerating influx of Singaporean capital into Kazakhstan.

- In fact, Kazakhstan and Singapore remain largest trading partners for each other in their respective regions of Central and Southeast Asia. The number of companies with Singaporean capital is growing, reaching almost 500, - the Head of State noted.

According to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan and Singapore enjoy fruitful cooperation within multilateral frameworks, and both countries are rightly regarded as Middle Powers. In this context, he noted the alignment of the two states' positions on many issues on the international agenda.

The Head of State also outlined the far-reaching political reforms underway in Kazakhstan, aimed at further improving public administration and the political system, built on the principle of a "Strong President, influential Kurultai, and accountable Government."

The President stressed that Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to creating a favorable investment climate and protecting the rights of foreign investors. As he noted, a number of Singaporean companies and funds, including PSA International, Temasek Holdings, and others, are already operating successfully in our country.

In addition, the parties discussed cooperation in the transport and logistics sector.

- We decided to construct a new airport in Astana to support the expansion of our national aviation network and meet immediate hub demands. In this regard, we are particularly interested in Singapore's best practices. As a gold standard of global aviation, Singapore Changi Airport represents unmatched efficiency, world-leading innovation, and service perfection. We intend to draw on this experience to implement our new project and take bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector to a new level, - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.

The Head of State also proposed exploring practical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Singapore in AI and digitalization.

- Kazakhstan's rapid ascent as a digital and AI powerhouse is driven by a state-led structural overhaul. We have established the Ministry for AI and Digital Development and designated 2026 as the "Year of Digitalization and AI," - he said.

In turn, Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong thanked the President for the opportunity to discuss current issues of bilateral cooperation and noted Kazakhstan's significant achievements in socio-economic development.

- I congratulate you on the successful holding of the first Kurultai elections. We support the far-reaching political reforms being carried out under your leadership. Our bilateral relations have reached a completely new level. We note the growing interest of Kazakhstani companies in entering the Singaporean market. In this regard, the legal framework is being consistently expanded. I am pleased to note the ratification of the Treaty on the Reciprocal Protection of Investments and the Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment, - Lee Hsien Loong said.

During the talks, the parties paid particular attention to prospects for strengthening ties in the economy, transport, logistics, smart city initiatives, agriculture, critical minerals, and tourism.

Concluding the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded Lee Hsien Loong the Order of "Dostyk" (Friendship), First Degree, for his significant contribution to the development of comprehensive cooperation between the two states.