Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister met German leaders and business executives on the second day of his official visit to Germany.

Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, continued his official visit to Germany with a series of high-level engagements in Hamburg on the second day of his trip.

Gan Kim Yong was on his first visit to Germany in his current role from 25 to 28 March 2026, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.

During the second leg of his trip, Mr. Gan visited Hamburg, one of Europe’s key economic and maritime hubs. There, he attended the Ostasiatisches Liebesmahl, a long-standing event organised by the German East Asia Association, where he was the foreign Guest-of-Honour.

At the event, Mr. Gan delivered a ceremonial address, highlighting the importance of strong partnerships between Asia and Europe and reaffirming Singapore’s commitment to open trade and cooperation.

As part of his visit, Mr. Gan met with Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg, to discuss opportunities for closer collaboration between Singapore and Hamburg, particularly in trade, logistics, and innovation.

He also met leaders from German multinational corporations and Mittelstand companies, where discussions focused on expanding business partnerships and strengthening investment links.

The visit reflected Singapore’s continued efforts to deepen its partnership with Germany, one of its most important economic partners in Europe. Hamburg, known for its strong port and logistics network, shared many similarities with Singapore as a global trading hub.

Through meetings with government leaders and business representatives, Mr. Gan reaffirmed Singapore’s role as a gateway to Asia and highlighted opportunities for German companies to expand into the region.

His visit marked another step forward in enhancing cooperation between Singapore and Germany, with both sides committed to building a stronger and more resilient economic partnership.

Source: MTI

The Singapore Armed Forces and the Bundeswehr conducted a successful joint live-firing exercise in Oberlausitz, strengthening defence cooperation and military professionalism.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) conducted a bilateral live-firing exercise from 8 to 12 March 2025 at the Oberlausitz Military Training Area (OMTA), Germany, as part of Exercise Panzer Strike.

Approximately 100 personnel from the 1st Company, 48th Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) trained alongside their German counterparts from Panzerlehrbataillon 93. The exercise included professional exchanges, where both armies discussed Standard Operating Procedures, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures to enhance interoperability.

Exercise Panzer Strike, held annually since 2009, provides valuable training opportunities for SAF’s Armour Formation. The spring and autumn training frames feature 14 Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and 14 Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), allowing Singaporean personnel from 48 SAR and the Armour Training Institute to hone their gunnery and manoeuvre skills through a series of live-firing drills.

The vast OMTA training space—about a quarter the size of Singapore—enables complex mission execution on a larger scale. With concurrent live-firing of up to four ranges, armoured units can train more efficiently and realistically. This 16th edition of the exercise has strengthened the SAF Armour Formation’s professionalism and capabilities, while reinforcing military ties between the Singapore Army and the German Armed Forces.

Beyond training, Exercise Panzer Strike highlights strong defence relations between Singapore and Germany. Both countries engage in regular military exchanges, high-level visits, joint dialogues, cross-attendance of professional courses, and technological collaboration. These interactions continue to deepen military cooperation and enhance the operational readiness of both armed forces.

Source – MINDEF

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER HENG SWEE KEAT CONCLUDED A WORKING VISIT TO BERLIN, COMMEMORATING SIX DECADES OF DIPLOMATIC TIES BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND GERMANY.

During his stay, DPM Heng delivered a keynote address at the 16th WELT Economic Summit, held on 27 January 2025. In his speech, he addressed global challenges such as deglobalisation, digitalisation, demographics, and decarbonisation. He also shared insights into Singapore’s economic transformation and highlighted potential areas for collaboration between Singapore and Germany.

On the sidelines of the summit, DPM Heng met with key German leaders, including Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck, Head of the Federal Chancellery Wolfgang Schmidt, and Christian Democratic Union Chairman Friedrich Merz. They reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship and discussed avenues to deepen ties under the Singapore-Germany Strategic Partnership.

DPM Heng also visited leading companies such as Siemens Energy and SAP, engaging in discussions on energy technology and enterprise applications. He participated in roundtable meetings organised by Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and the CDU Economic Council, where he emphasised Singapore’s role as a strategic gateway for German businesses exploring opportunities in Asia, particularly within ASEAN. He highlighted potential collaborations in digitalisation, sustainability, and finance.

Additionally, DPM Heng engaged with research institutes and innovative start-ups to explore ways to leverage science, technology, and innovation for societal and economic benefits. He also met with overseas Singaporeans in Berlin to celebrate Chinese New Year and Singapore’s 60th year of independence.

Source: Prime Ministers’s Office / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore

Thomas Hitschler meets Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad to discuss defence cooperation and security developments.

From October 2 to 4, 2024, German Parliamentary State Secretary for Defence Thomas Hitschler made a working visit to Singapore, meeting with Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). The visit underscored the strong and substantive defence relations between Singapore and Germany, with discussions focused on geopolitical and security developments, as well as ongoing defence collaboration.

During their meeting, Mr. Zaqy Mohamad expressed gratitude for Germany’s strong support for Singapore’s defence training needs and highlighted the cooperation between both countries in areas such as military training and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)’s Invincible-class submarine program. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence relations and acknowledged the growing significance of their partnership.

Mr. Hitschler’s working visit included briefings on Singapore’s Total Defence and National Service by Nexus and the National Service Policy Department. The exchange provided valuable insights into Singapore’s comprehensive approach to defence and the country’s national service framework.

The strong defence ties between Singapore and Germany have been bolstered by high-level visits and dialogues, military exchanges and training programs, and cross-attendance at professional courses. The partnership extends to collaborative efforts in areas like defence technology and cyber defence, strengthening the professional relationship between the two nations’ defence establishments. These ties are further solidified by the enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018, which continues to facilitate growth in multiple domains of defence cooperation.

Source – MINDEF

General Carsten Breuer meets with Singapore Defence officials to enhance military cooperation and discuss regional security.

Singapore – August 5, 2024: General (GEN) Carsten Breuer, Chief of Defence of Germany, met with Singapore’s Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to strengthen bilateral defence relations between the two countries. This visit marks General Breuer’s introductory trip to Singapore from August 1 to August 4, 2024.

During their meeting, Dr. Ng and GEN Breuer reaffirmed the strong and substantive defence ties between Singapore and Germany. They discussed enhancing cooperation in military training and explored collaboration in non-conventional security domains. They also exchanged views on Germany’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific region and discussed ways to promote and support a rules-based international order.

In addition to meeting with Dr. Ng, GEN Breuer called on Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng and inspected the Guard of Honour at MINDEF. As part of his visit, he toured Maju Camp, where he received a briefing on the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) transformation and the National Service system. He also visited the SAF Volunteer Corps to understand their operations.

General Breuer is scheduled to visit the Armour Formation at Sungei Gedong Camp, where he will view and receive briefings on the suite of Hunter platforms and Armour Simulation Systems.

The visit underscores the strong defence relationship between Singapore and Germany, which is reinforced through regular high-level visits, military exchanges, and technology collaborations. The professional ties between the two defence establishments have been strengthened by the enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018, enabling more comprehensive cooperation in various defence areas.

Source – MINDEF

Join us for a night of musical mastery and Eastertide celebration with Bach and Telemann at YST Concert Hall.

SINGAPORE, 5 April 2024 – Music enthusiasts are invited to immerse themselves in a night of German Baroque brilliance with the Bach Cantata Series x RDB x OI: ‘Kommt, eilet und laufet’ on 9 April at the YST Concert Hall. Led by maestro Alan Choo, this event promises to be a unique blend of historical sounds and modern mastery.

Who: Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Red Dot Baroque
When: 9 April, 7:30 pm
Where: YST Concert Hall

Audiences can expect to be enchanted by the timeless works of Bach and Telemann, showcasing a celebration of Eastertide hope and renewal. This collaboration between the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and Red Dot Baroque is set to deliver an unforgettable evening of musical excellence.

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness ‘Kommt, eilet und laufet!’ Reserve your tickets .

Source: German Embassy Singapore

SGC commemorates two decades of fostering business, technology, and innovation partnerships between Singapore and Germany, enhancing the strategic connection between the two nations.

THE Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, highlighting the significant collaborations in business, technology, and innovation that have strengthened the ties between Germany and Singapore. The chamber’s efforts have played a pivotal role in establishing Singapore as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN region.

Businesses spanning industries from beer to biotech have made remarkable contributions in Singapore, bridging the economic and social gap between the two nations. The SGC Building Bridges Award winners are recognized for their exceptional achievements, contributing to the advancement of bilateral relations.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their dedication to fostering stronger ties between Singapore and Germany.

Source: German Embassy Singapore

The Berlinale opens its doors to film enthusiasts and industry professionals, featuring a diverse selection of international films, including a spotlight on Southeast Asian cinema.

The 74th Berlin International Film Festival, known as the Berlinale, commences today, promising an array of international cinematic delights. Running until 24 February, the Berlinale is a significant event in the film industry calendar, drawing major film stars, emerging talents, and tens of thousands of film enthusiasts from around the world to cinemas across Berlin.

This year, the festival highlights films from Southeast Asia, including works from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, ºÚÁÏÉç, and Vietnam. Among the notable screenings is the international premiere of the documentary “Myanmar Anatomy.”

The Berlinale, renowned for its artistic exploration and entertainment value, has a rich history dating back to 1951. Initially created as a “showcase of the free world” during the Cold War, the festival has evolved into a platform for intercultural exchange and critical cinematic exploration of social issues. It continues to be regarded as one of the most politically engaged film festivals globally.

Aside from showcasing films, the Berlinale is also a key event for the film industry, fostering innovation and serving as an important economic driver, both internationally and for companies in Germany and Berlin. With around 200 films across various genres and formats, the Berlinale invites audiences to explore diverse narratives and aesthetics, fostering a dynamic dialogue between filmmakers and viewers through discussions and expert panels.

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Source: Berlinale