S'pore 'to give technical assistance in smarter way'

Efforts to aid other nations focused on areas S'pore can make most impact: Shanmugam

By Lin Zhaowei, The Straits Times, 30 Nov 2012

SINGAPORE wants to provide more technical assistance to other countries and will do so in a smarter way.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam said the country will concentrate efforts in areas where it can make the most impact.

He was speaking at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Singapore Cooperation Programme, under which the island state helps countries build capacity for development.

It intends to take in feedback to improve existing programmes and to customise new ones, he said.

Singapore will also develop new courses and capabilities, as well as experiment with new tools such as partnerships between the public and private sectors.

To better provide assistance, it will revitalise its network of partnerships with aid agencies, international organisations and other developed countries.

Mr Shanmugam added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work more closely with domestic agencies to tap their know-how and expertise.

He also launched a high-level fellowship programme yesterday, aimed at enhancing links with leaders and opinion-shapers worldwide. It is named after former president S. R. Nathan to honour his contributions, especially in the area of diplomacy.

"We hope that this fellowship will expand Singapore's network of friends and advocates around the world," he said.

Mr Shanmugam told the 170 diplomats and officials gathered yesterday at the Foreign Affairs Ministry that Singapore set up its technical aid programme in 1992 as it wanted to give back to the international community.

It decided against giving direct financial aid because, from its experience, technical assistance could be at least as effective.

"We train officials from many countries, equip them with skills and knowledge which would help them make a real impact in changing their people's lives for the better," he said.

This is why the programme provides training in areas where Singapore excels, such as public administration. For Asean, it has focused on trade liberalisation and Customs management, to aid community building.

"An Asean that is economically integrated, strong and coherent can better attract investments, create jobs, manage regional challenges and be a platform to engage larger powers."

Thus, Singapore helps itself when it helps other countries build capacity to tackle their developmental challenges.

The programme is also important because it helps Singapore build friendships with other countries, he added.

"For a small country like us, it is important to have this international network of friends. They put us in a better position to defend our interests at the United Nations and at other international organisations."

The programme has so far benefited government officials from 170 countries. The bulk of it has catered to Asean members - of the over 80,000 officials trained so far, more than 50,000 are from the region.

A key component is the Initiative for Asean Integration, launched in 2000 to assist the group's newer members - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, for which Singapore has pledged a total of $170 million.