Singapore and Suzhou to mutually promote tourism

Producer: Melanie Yip.
First broadcast: 10 June 04, Radio Singapore International

The Singapore Tourism Board, or STB and the Suzhou Municipal Government have agreed on a tourism cooperation framework that will see both cities promoting each other as premier travel destinations.

Yesterday, Singapore's Senior Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and Chinese Vice-Premier, Wu Yi witnessed the signing of two deals - one to boost tourism, and the other to set up a joint graduate school.

This was in conjunction with the Suzhou Industrial Park's 10th Anniversary celebrations.

Besides encouraging industry partners to produce and market packages which will link Singapore with Suzhou and other Chinese neighboring cities, the tourism framework will also emphasize on promoting the cultural and historical aspects of both cities.

Edmund Chua (EC), Regional Director (Greater China) at Singapore Tourism Board, is currently in Suzhou and he tells RSI's Melanie Yip that the tourism initiative between Singapore and Suzhou was first conceptualized last year.

EC: It was during the last visit led by STB's Chief Executive, Mr Lim Neo Chian, who was actively involved in the Suzhou Industrial Park before last year. And we had some cordial discussions with the Suzhou government leaders then. There was an exchange of ideas, on how we can learn from each other, and how we can bring the software transfers, the know-how from the current level to another level, especially in the area of tourism development.

Within this tourism framework, what areas of tourism appeal can Singapore bring to Suzhou?

EC: Our know-hows will include areas like tourism development management, based on the experience that Singapore has built over the years. These are the areas that we can share with our friends in Suzhou. Correspondingly, this is a bilateral exchange, in a sense that Suzhou has the expertise and wealth of experience in managing garden attractions. There are many famous sites in Suzhou that engage in site conservation. We have identified these areas where we provided the opportunity for our Suzhou friends to learn from us, we can also learn from our Suzhou counterparts like in the area of tourism products.

As part of the initiative, both Singapore and Suzhou will encourage education tourism and there are plans like student exchanges through overseas study trips, with Suzhou sending its first batch of students to Singapore by end of
2004. So are there plans for Singapore to do the same in the near future?

EC: It is a bilateral arrangement such that Singapore brings about a sense of modernity in our management. And Suzhou has wealth in the ancient assets and heritage that we would like to get our students exposed in this area. And both sides have agreed on the broad principles of encouraging student exchange of both cities, while the students from Suzhou can have a better understanding of how Singapore evolved and developed into a modern city. Singapore students will also be able to have better appreciation of the Chinese heritage and culture. That is the student aspect. In terms of the part on corporate training, which is part of the education framework, we also see a lot of opportunities through the SIP (Suzhou Industrial Park) Initiative. We can provide a good framework for more Chinese entrepreneurs and people to learn from the SIP experience and to come to Singapore to have a greater appreciation of Singapore's evolution.

How about in terms of cultural exchange, cultural development? How can the rich culture in Suzhou be brought into Singapore. In other words, how can Singapore benefit from this cultural exchange?

EC: If one has been to Suzhou, one can find that in every corner, there are rich heritage sites and famous gardens as well. This provides an excellent platform and learning environment for the Chinese heritage.

With this tourism initiative being set up between Singapore and Suzhou, are there plans to promote Singapore as a medical hub like what STB has done in the Middle East?

EC: Yes, China has a well establish welfare medical system.. We see the opportunity in China that there are specialized services that Singapore is in the best position to provide to the Chinese market. In view of our proximity and our cultural similarities, and we have no language barriers, we do have plans to promote Singapore's health services to China.