Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is embarking on a significant five-day state visit to Sweden from October 17 to 21, underscoring 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This marks the first state visit to Sweden by a Singaporean president and aims to bolster diplomatic, economic, and business ties.
President Tharman’s visit will include a ceremonial welcome at Stockholm’s Royal Palace, followed by a state banquet hosted by Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. He is set to engage with key Swedish political figures, including Speaker Andreas Norlén and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, to discuss further cooperation.
The agenda also features President Tharman’s meetings with Swedish entrepreneurs and business leaders, reflecting the focus on economic collaboration. His itinerary includes a visit to Fryshuset, a prominent youth empowerment organization, and a lecture at the Stockholm School of Economics. In Gothenburg, he will join King Carl XVI Gustaf in visiting Chalmers University of Technology and the World of Volvo automotive museum, where they will explore advancements in transport and business.
Accompanying President Tharman are his spouse, Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, government ministers, members of parliament, and representatives from Singaporean business and government organizations. This visit is part of ongoing high-level exchanges between the two nations, which include a planned state visit to Singapore by the Swedish king in November 2024.
Bilateral economic ties remain strong, with trade in goods between Singapore and Sweden reaching $1.9 billion in 2025, and trade in services amounting to $1.4 billion in 2024. Sweden’s foreign direct investment in Singapore stood at $9.7 billion in 2024, compared to Singapore’s $1.6 billion in investments in Sweden. The presence of nearly 600 Swedish companies in Singapore further highlights the robust commercial relationship and potential for continued collaboration in business, technology, and innovation.