Official Visit to Singapore
Mr. President, honourable ministers, distinguished guests.
It is indeed an honour and a pleasure to be here today in Singapore and to have been accorded such generous and gracious hospitality, for which I am truly grateful.
It has long been my desire to visit Singapore and to witness first-hand the country’s tremendous achievements since its independence in 1965; achievements which have assured Singapore’s place as a centre of peace, stability and prosperity in the region, while illustrating clearly that geographical size should not be a barrier to economic success.
The world in which we find ourselves today is constantly changing and it is becoming ever-more challenging for all nations and, in particular, smaller states such as Bahrain and Singapore to successfully ensure development and prosperity in an increasingly competitive environment.
Against this background, Singapore’s achievements are all the more remarkable, and I am convinced that nations such as ours will undoubtedly benefit from the exchange of knowledge, experience, and trust that result from high-level contacts in all areas, including visits such as this.
There can be little doubt, Your Excellency, that the central challenge facing states today is economic development and the successful integration of such development into societies is the central foundation upon which other achievements can be based.
It is for this reason that we in Bahrain are continuing to focus on the nation’s economic development and on creating the framework necessary to ensure such development meets the needs and aspirations of all our citizens.
History, and in particular the last one hundred years, has taught us that there are three fundamental requirements to the successful economic development of our countries, mainly: a free market economy, true rule of law, and respect for the rights and responsibilities of our citizens.
This economic development requires change, and we should have no fear of change, since speed and innovation are two defining characteristics of the new economy. Characteristics which should be appreciated and embraced if the full benefits of this much-acclaimed phenomenon are to be delivered.
The Republic of Singapore, through wise leadership and determined endeavour, has shown that the application of the above principles in accordance to the society’s culture and history, can bring the outstanding success we see today.
We in Bahrain share Singapore’s commitment to these principles, and I have no doubt that our two countries will continue to work together to further promote the aims and interests of both our nations and their friendly peoples.
Finally, Your Excellency, I thank you once again for your wonderful hospitality and look forward to further strengthening a close friendship between our two nations, long into the future.
Thank you
