Business Club Hamburg recently welcomed the Ambassador of Singapore, CHONG HOCK LEE, to a dinner event, at which he talked about the ties between the two countries and driving innovation through collaboration.
How important is Hamburg for Singapore? Which sectors have the closest business ties?
CHONG HOCK LEE: Hamburg and Singapore are port cities that thrive on global trade. We share many similarities in our outlook, particularly at a time when free trade is coming under pressure. Our economic bonds are strong. Today, more than 400 Hamburg-based companies are in Singapore, including well-known ones like Jungheinrich and Apoqlar. This was also why we were delighted to facilitate the visit of the First Mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Tschentscher to Singapore in October 2024. During the visit, Enterprise Singapore signed a Joint Workplan Agreement with Hamburg Invest, to drive two-way partnerships in the areas of transport and logistics, as well as in other sectors of interest, like renewable energy.
You studied in Germany with a scholarship from the Singaporean government which aims to send excellent students to countries which are important economic partners. How did you benefit from this programme?
LEE: Singapore constantly seeks to ensure that we have a diversified talent pool within the Government, trained in a variety of disciplines at the best schools from different countries. This allows us to learn from the best around the world. I studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), which is one of the leading engineering schools in Europe today. TUM has a very strong alumni network, including a large number of top German business leaders, past and present. Coincidentally, the Singapore Students Association Germany (https://ssag.eu), which I was a founding member of in the year 1998 when I was a student here, continues to live on today to connect
Singaporean students in Germany.
In the past 20 years, both Singapore and Germany have enjoyed the fruits of globalisation. Now, it seems the world order is changing. How will Singapore’s foreign policy and business sector be affected?
LEE: Germany and Singapore have benefited from the “peace dividend” for many decades. Despite globalisation coming under pressure today, countries like us which support free trade, multilateralism and a rules-based global order should work even more closely together. For Singapore, we will have to continue to remain agile to keep our economy strong, innovative and vibrant. This means that we will have to work even harder to deepen integration with our region and the world, grow strong enterprises through innovation, foster a pro-enterprise environment and invest in our people.
What are the biggest challenges you expect Singapore to face in the next few years?
LEE: Some of our key challenges will be in the area of demographics and energy. But we should also learn to turn challenges into opportunities, and weaknesses into strength. To continue to prosper, Singapore must attract the best talent, embrace technological advancements, and enhance cooperation with international partners and friends. This is where Europe continues to be an important partner. We need to work together to support free trade, connect our digital economies, and push for breakthrough in science and research in areas such as AI, green hydrogen, quantum computing, etc.
In 2025 Singapore is celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations with the “Growing Together” programme…
LEE: We have various events planned throughout the year that will lead to greater exchanges in the political domain, in business, music and culture. We have recently upgraded our bilateral relations to that of a Strategic Partnership and we look forward to strengthening our win-win partnership and continuing to grow together!