Garden of English YouTube Live 2 for AP®* Lit Students (Prose Analysis & Literary Argument Tips)

[0:00]Hello, good morning everyone. I hope you're having a good day. It's really nice to be here again at the APEC meeting and to have the chance to address the business community today. I really appreciate this opportunity to share with you today some of the priorities on which Singapore and the EU are working together. Singapore and the EU share a long-standing and excellent relationship. As a country committed to free trade and multilateralism, Singapore values its relationship with the EU, which is a key like-minded partner for us. Our friendship has deepened further since the entry into force of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in November 2019 and the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement in 2021. The FTA has provided tangible benefits for businesses on both sides. Despite global economic uncertainties, trade between the EU and Singapore has grown steadily. Last year, bilateral trade in goods reached 85.7 billion Singapore dollars, an increase of 21% from 2021. The EU is Singapore's third largest trading partner and Singapore is the EU's second largest trading partner in ASEAN. These are really good figures and they show that we have been able to leverage the FTA to benefit our businesses and our people. It is also a testament to our shared commitment to free, open and rules-based trade. We are also making good progress on our shared priorities in the green and digital economies. In the green economy, Singapore and the EU are natural partners. We are both committed to achieving our climate change goals and transitioning to a green economy. In 2022, we launched the EU-Singapore Green Digital Partnership, which is a first-of-its-kind agreement between the EU and an ASEAN member state. The GDP facilitates cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon markets and sustainable finance. The GDP also supports our businesses in the green transition, by creating new opportunities and promoting the adoption of green technologies and sustainable practices. In the digital economy, Singapore and the EU are also working closely together to promote a trusted and inclusive digital environment. We recognize the transformative potential of digitalization and the need to harness it responsibly and securely. The EU-Singapore Digital Partnership, which was launched in February this year, aims to deepen cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, data governance and digital trade facilitation. These agreements underscore our shared commitment to building a resilient, sustainable and inclusive future. We believe that through cooperation and partnership, we can overcome global challenges and seize new opportunities. I'm confident that the strong ties between Singapore and the EU will continue to deepen and flourish. I encourage businesses on both sides to seize the opportunities presented by our partnerships and to explore new areas of collaboration. Together, we can contribute to a more prosperous and sustainable future for our regions and beyond. Thank you very much.