Burmese President Thein Sein arrived in Singapore yesterday for a three-day state visit that will mark closer ties between his country - currently undergoing political reforms - and Singapore.
A centrepiece of his visit is the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today, under which Singapore will offer its Souteast Asian neighbour technical assistance such as in training its officers in legal, banking and financial sector reform, as well as sharing best practices in trade and tourism.
Thein Sein, accompanied by his wife Khin Khin Win, is on his fourth state visit since being elected last March, and previously visited Indonesia, China and India. He is Burma's first civilian president after nearly 50 years of military junta rule.
While here, President Thein Sein will meet President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
President Tan will host a state banquet tonight in President Thein Sein's honour, where he will also meet some Burmese nationals living in Singapore. PM Lee will also host a lunch for him today.
Before that, both leaders will witness the signing of the MOU on the Singapore-Myanmar Technical Cooperation Programme. To run from this year to 2015, it will mark the next step in a relationship of cooperation between Burma and Singapore. In 2001, Singapore established a training centre in Yangon, which has trained 7,500 officials in areas such as public-sector reform. Singapore also contributed 385 tube wells as part of a humanitarian assistance package after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma in 2008.
Thein Sein will also visit the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh to learn more about Singapore's public housing experience. National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan will host the visit.
As Thein Sein had an orchid - the Dendrobium Thein Sein - named after him during his last visit, the honour this time is accorded to Daw Khin Khin Win. She will attend her orchid-naming ceremony today at the Botanic Gardens.
Thein Sein last visited Singapore in March 2009, when he was Burma's prime minister. Since his last visit, Burma has taken major steps towards political reform. These include the release of political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2010, and preparations for a by-election in April, in which Suu Kyi will participate.
These developments take place at a time when Burma is gearing up to host the SEA Games next year, and to assume the Asean chair in 2014.
Thein Sein is joined on his state visit by six union ministers, a deputy minister, the Mayor of Yangon, senior officials, and business delegates.
