(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) His Excellency Kemal Siddique, the first Ambassador of Singapore to be accredited to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), on Wednesday said his appointment was meant to be a signal that “Singapore does not take the support of our Caribbean friends for granted.”

His country has always valued its relations with the Community, he stated. The Ambassador stated that Singapore’s interest in the Region began as far back as 1971 through the establishment of diplomatic ties with Trinidad and Tobago. The country was now interested in working together with the wider Caribbean Community to ensure that the systems of global governance continue to hear and take note of the voices of small states, he said.

“Like many of the CARICOM's Member States, we are a small country. And like many of your Member States as well, we are a small island state.”

“We have successfully and productively worked together to further our common concerns at international fora such as the United Nations and the Forum of Small States,” Ambassador Siddique stated.

He stated that Singapore will endeavour to continue to work to sustain and deepen its engagement with the Region, including finding new avenues for cooperation and collaboration. The newly accredited Ambassador added that he was looking forward to working with the CARICOM Secretariat, and individual Member States, towards enhancing this cooperation.