Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has embarked on a five-day state visit to Sweden, marking a significant milestone in the 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Scheduled from October 17 to 21, this visit stands as the first by a Singaporean president to Sweden and aims to bolster diplomatic, economic, and business ties.
During his visit, President Tharman is set to receive a ceremonial welcome at Stockholm’s Royal Palace and attend a state banquet hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. He will engage with key Swedish leaders, including Speaker Andreas Norlén and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, highlighting the importance of ongoing high-level exchanges between the two countries.
Economic cooperation is a focal point of the visit, as evidenced by the robust trade relations between Singapore and Sweden. In 2025, trade in goods reached $1.9 billion, while trade in services amounted to $1.4 billion in 2024. Additionally, Sweden’s foreign direct investment in Singapore was recorded at $9.7 billion in 2024, compared to Singapore’s $1.6 billion investment in Sweden.
President Tharman’s itinerary includes meetings with Swedish entrepreneurs and business leaders, emphasizing the strength of commercial ties. Nearly 600 Swedish companies currently operate in Singapore, underscoring the potential for continued collaboration in business, technology, and innovation.
In addition to economic discussions, President Tharman is set to visit youth empowerment organization Fryshuset and deliver 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 to explore developments in transport and business.
The delegation accompanying President Tharman includes his spouse, Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, government ministers, members of parliament, and representatives from Singaporean business and government organizations, reflecting the comprehensive nature of this state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.