On Tuesday 15 November 2016, Luxembourg and Singapore signed an agreement strengthening their cooperation in the research sector.
The agreement, which was signed by the Fonds national de la recherche (FNR) and the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore (NFR), establishes joint funding for collaborative research projects in areas of mutual interest. It was signed in front of the Prime Ministers of the two countries, Xavier Bettel and Lee Hsien Loong.
Firstly, this bilateral agreement involves two sectors jointly identified by the FNR and the NRF: the sector of material science, particularly 3D-printing, and that of business analytics, and more specifically fintechs.
The FNR has made the first call to fund projects in 2017. This can finance up to three collaborative projects for up to three months with a total of €980,000. The chosen projects are required to have a high level of cooperation and coordination between research teams in both countries.
The growing cooperation between Luxembourg and Singapore allows both countries to develpp their skills as well as their talent pool in the areas of science and innovation.
Regarding Luxembourg-Singapore relations, on 15 November 2016, PM Xavier Bettel undertook a work visit to Singapore where he met with Lee Hsien Loong to discuss this strengthening of bilateral relations and the current international context.
Xavier Bettel stated that “Our countries have many things in common. We are small states with big ambitions and we both rely on a globalised economy, strengthened by innovation.”
Moreover, the Luxembourg Prime Minister gave a speech at Singapore Management University (SMU) in front of 400 guests as part of the ‘Presidential Distinguished Lecturer Series’, entitled ‘Political leadership in the digital age’. In his speech, Xavier Bettel insisted on the importance of ICT for political, economic and cultural evolution in our society.
Photo by Jo Clees, ME (L-R): Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore Prime Minister.
