Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran yesterday urged the United States to remain engaged in the Asia-Pacific region, as the US Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar wraps up his term here.

Speaking at a farewell event organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) for Mr Wagar — whose term officially ends on Jan 20 — Mr Iswaran noted that the region remains one of the fastest growing in the world.

In 2015, America’s exports to Asia-Pacific supported some 3.4 million jobs. “This trend is expected to grow … It is absolutely crucial and to our mutual benefit that the US remains engaged in the region,” he added.

Turning to Mr Wagar, who arrived in Singapore three-and-a-half years ago, Mr Iswaran noted that the ambassador had consistently looked for ways to further partnerships between the two countries. For instance, Mr Wagar led a business delegation from Singapore to the US, providing opportunities for the Singapore businesses to make connections with their US counterparts.

During his time here, the envoy has helped deepen and broaden the US’ relationship with Singapore and the region, said Mr Iswaran. This includes the signing of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, as well as marking 50 years of bilateral relations between both countries with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official visit to the US last year.

Mr Iswaran also thanked the ambassador for his “unwavering commitment” to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) process.

While Mr Wagar was not part of the negotiating team, he was actively involved behind the scenes, added the minister. Speaking to the media before the official event started, Mr Wagar noted that he is a firm believer in the TPP deal, which was the outcome of negotiations among 12 countries.

In his address to about 200 AmCham members at the event, Mr Wagar addressed concerns that the US might become less engaged with Asia under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.

But pointing to some 3,700 American companies based here, he noted that the US is more “deeply engaged” now than three-and-a-half years ago.

The father of four said he hopes that people will have a better impression of the US following his tenure as envoy here. “(I hope) people will think of America a little better, realise that we are more open than maybe they thought before, and that we do have a fair bit of humility about what we know and what we don’t. We’re a good, friendly partner,” said Mr Wagar. He also presented a S$30,000 cheque — a gift from AmCham to honour him — to Special Olympics Singapore at the event.

Source:
courtesy of TODAY

by Siau Ming En

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