Singapore President Lauds Odisha’s Cultural Heritage, Strengthens Ties with New MoUs
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], January 18: Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, on the first day of his two-day visit to Odisha, expressed admiration for the state’s rich cultural heritage during his visit to the Kalabhoomi crafts museum in Bhubaneswar. Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi shared the news of the appreciation on social media, highlighting the vibrant cultural display that impressed the Singaporean President.
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Chief Minister Majhi said that President Shanmugaratnam had praised the showcase of Odisha’s traditions, culture, and heritage at the museum. The visit provided an opportunity to explore potential avenues for collaboration between Odisha and Singapore, especially in the fields of business, culture, and sustainable development.
Alongside the visit, a productive meeting and a dinner with distinguished guests, including the Odisha Governor Haribabu Kambhampati, were held at the museum. The two-day visit, from January 14 to 18, also focused on enhancing bilateral ties and fostering new partnerships.
As part of his visit, President Tharman was involved in the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening collaboration across various sectors. The agreements include two MoUs between the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) and Singapore’s Sembcorp for the development of industrial parks and a green hydrogen corridor.
Additionally, an MoU was signed between IDCO and Surbana Jurong, Singapore, for the development of the Petrochemical and Petroleum Investment Region (PCPIR) in Odisha. Another MoU between the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Surbana Jurong will focus on the development of a new city in the state.
The collaboration extends to the energy sector as well, with an MoU signed between Nanyang Technological University (NTU), GRIDCO, and IIT Bhubaneswar for the promotion of new energy solutions. Further, an MoU between the Electronics & IT Department of Odisha and Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore, seeks to bolster the FinTech ecosystem in the region.
The visit of President Shanmugaratnam underscores the growing partnership between Odisha and Singapore, reflecting shared ambitions in areas such as sustainable development, business innovation, and cultural exchange.
