Singapore, Egypt to sign deals on health, food, and enterprise

The MoU will cover areas such as non-communicable diseases, hospital information systems, amongst others.

Singapore and Egypt will sign two agreements and ten memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s state visit, expanding bilateral cooperation across health, food security, economic development, social services, and enterprise support.

The MoUs will cover areas such as non-communicable diseases, hospital information systems, capacity building, social services, and support for SMEs and startups.

President Tharman noted that Egypt was the first Arab country to recognise Singapore in 1965, and described President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s 2015 visit to Singapore as a landmark. He said the two countries are building on that foundation to deepen strategic alignment.

On the economic front, Tharman highlighted that Singapore has been one of the largest Asian investors in Egypt over the past decade. Both leaders discussed strengthening economic cooperation in a shifting global environment marked by rising protectionism.

He cited Singapore firms with a notable presence in Egypt, including PSA-BDP, Pacific International Lines, Olam Food Ingredients, and Charles & Keith, which operates six stores in the country.

Tharman also encouraged Egyptian companies to consider Singapore as a springboard into Southeast Asia, a region of 670 million people with a combined GDP exceeding US$4t.

On regional security, Tharman expressed Singapore’s deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated support for a negotiated two-state solution in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

He also outlined Singapore’s humanitarian cooperation with Egypt, including the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s delivery of aid to Al Arish in November 2023 and the Singapore Armed Forces’ medical deployment alongside the French on the FS Dixmude in early 2024..

A milestone in medical cooperation was announced: two Singaporean doctors and one clinician are currently deployed at Nasser Institute Hospital, treating Palestinian patients from Gaza and training local specialists.

This marks the first time Egypt has authorised foreign doctors to operate in its hospitals, according to Tharman.

Looking ahead, Tharman extended an invitation to President Al Sisi to visit Singapore in 2026, which will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.