Thai rice paradise, nasi goreng very nice: S'pore & Thailand reaffirm commitment to rice trade

Singapore and Thailand reaffirmed their commitment to a mutually beneficial rice trade under a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) signed on Nov. 7, promising open and transparent trade.

Both countries also enhanced their cooperation in healthcare leadership programmes targeted at the ageing population in Thailand, under a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Both memoranda were signed on Nov. 7 as part of Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnivakul's introductory visit to Singapore.

Rice trade

Under an MOC signed between Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) Grace Fu and Thailand's Minister for Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun, Singapore and Thailand reiterated their commitment to an open and mutually beneficial rice trade.

This includes avoiding unnecessary restrictive trade measures, according to MSE.

Under the MOC, which was exchanged in the presence of Anutin and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov. 7, Thailand will support and facilitate the assured sale of rice on mutually agreed terms, upon request by Singapore's government.

Thailand is among Singapore's largest rice exporters, contributing to the nation's food security.

Opportunities to expand food cooperation beyond rice are currently also being explored, PM Wong said.

As of 2024, both countries are each other's ninth largest trading partner.

Healthcare cooperation

The MOU on healthcare cooperation was signed between SingHealth Group CEO Ng Wai Hoe and Thai Department of Medical Services (DMS) Director General Nutthapong Wongwiwat, aimed at supporting rapidly ageing societies in both countries.

Under the agreement, medical programmes aim to build the capabilities of Thai healthcare leaders through knowledge sharing and training programmes in areas such as governance, policy implementation strategies and service and clinical quality, especially in geriatric medicine.

The collaboration will be spearheaded by Changi General Hospital (CGH), according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Bilateral ties

The ties between Singapore and Thailand, now in their 60th year of diplomacy, is "built on trust, respect and deep friendship", PM Wong said at a joint press conference following the signing of the memoranda.

He laid out areas of commitment that will be expanded upon, including the digital economy, a space in which Singapore and Thailand are "pioneers" in setting up the PayNow-PromptPay linkage in 2021, he said.

Both countries will also look to deepen cooperation in areas of sustainability and combatting scams and cybercrime through multi-agency partnerships.

"While Singapore-Thailand relations are already mature and multi-faceted, there remains tremendous potential for us to do even more together," PM Wong concluded.

Top image via Constance Tan/Mothership