Celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam embarked on a five-day state visit to Sweden from October 17 to 21. This visit, the first by a Singaporean president to Sweden, aims to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and business ties between the two nations.
During his visit, President Tharman will receive a ceremonial welcome at Stockholm’s Royal Palace, followed by a state banquet hosted by Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Further engagements include meetings with Swedish parliamentary leaders, such as Speaker Andreas Norlén and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, highlighting the importance of political dialogue in fostering bilateral relations.
Economic cooperation is a key focus of the visit, with President Tharman scheduled to engage with Swedish entrepreneurs and business leaders. He will also visit the youth empowerment organization Fryshuset and deliver a lecture at the Stockholm School of Economics, emphasizing the shared commitment to innovation and education.
In Gothenburg, the President, alongside King Carl XVI Gustaf, will visit Chalmers University of Technology and the World of Volvo automotive museum. These visits aim to explore developments in transport and business, further strengthening ties between the two countries in technology and innovation.
Accompanying President Tharman are his spouse, Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, as well as government ministers, members of parliament, and representatives from Singaporean business and government organizations. This delegation underscores the comprehensive approach to enhancing Singapore-Sweden relations.
The visit follows a pattern of high-level exchanges, including the upcoming state visit of the Swedish king to Singapore in November 2024. Economic ties remain robust, with trade in goods between the countries reaching $1.9 billion in 2025 and trade in services totaling $1.4 billion in 2024. Moreover, Sweden’s foreign direct investment stock in Singapore was $9.7 billion in 2024, highlighting the strength of commercial ties and mutual investment opportunities.
With nearly 600 Swedish companies operating in Singapore, this visit signifies continued opportunities for cooperation in business, technology, and innovation, reinforcing the strong foundation of bilateral relations between Singapore and Sweden.