On 5 November SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov met with Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore Chan Chun Sing as part of the 2nd China International Import Expo in Shanghai.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on strengthening the SCO's relations with ASEAN, of which Singapore is a member, including through establishing contacts between foreign ministries, holding joint activities to combat modern challenges and threats, and developing trade, economic, transport, logistics, cultural and educational ties.
The SCO Secretary-General briefed Chan Chun Sing on the SCO's activities and emphasised the need to step up interaction between the two organisations in transport, digitalisation and ICT, and to establish a mutually beneficial exchange of experience for the development of a multidisciplinary dialogue.
Vladimir Norov noted that it is useful for representatives of the SCO member states to participate in the annual international exhibition China-ASEAN EXPO in Nanning, China, and also suggested considering the possibility of holding a joint SCO-ASEAN roundtable on logistics cooperation as part of this event. At the roundtable, the parties could also discuss current issues related to regional cooperation, including improving freight transport and exchanging experience in the construction and management of logistics centres.
He stressed the cost-effectiveness of ASEAN countries shipping goods by rail to Europe and the Middle East via China, Russia and Central Asian states.
The Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore praised the SCO's ongoing activities and its interaction with other international organisations. He also supported the SCO Secretary-General's opinion on holding an SCO-ASEAN roundtable as part of the China-ASEAN EXPO in Nanning.
The meeting was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.
In 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Secretariats of SCO and ASEAN.