Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SINGAPORE659
2009-07-10 09:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
SINGAPORE READY TO DISCUSS ASEAN TIFA PROPOSALS AT SEOM
how-toVZCZCXRO4019 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHGP #0659 1910942 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 100942Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6943 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000659
STATE PASS USTR FOR FYINUG
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD OTRA SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE READY TO DISCUSS ASEAN TIFA PROPOSALS AT SEOM
REF: STATE 65718
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000659
STATE PASS USTR FOR FYINUG
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD OTRA SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE READY TO DISCUSS ASEAN TIFA PROPOSALS AT SEOM
REF: STATE 65718
1. Singaporean trade officials are looking forward to discussing
U.S. proposals for the ASEAN-TIFA work plan, but have no proposals
of their own to offer. Ms. Sulaimah Mahmood, Director of the ASEAN
Division of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, told Econoff July 9
that she would advise USTR to broach their proposals on a regional
basis rather than as a set of separate bilateral agreements in order
to deflect unnecessary attention to Burma, which would inevitably be
excluded.
2. Mahmood was generally positive about the work plan proposals and
had comments only on select topics. On Logistics Services Protocol,
Mahmood said that Singapore was very interested but had sensed a
lukewarm response from other member countries. On Digital Economy
Protocol, Singapore was interested but would need to see more detail
before discussing in depth.
3. Mahmood said that Trade Finance was not as crucial an issue as
it had been six months ago, and was not enthusiastic about pursuing
a work plan proposal on the topic. She noted that both APEC and
ASEAN had recently completed surveys on the topic tow which only
four countries had responded, but of those four Cambodia, Indonesia
and Vietnam said trade finance was not a problem. Only Thailand
indicated it was a moderate problem.
4. On the Government and Business Dialogue proposal, Mahmood said
timing was a challenge for the dialogue and suggested it could be
held on the fringes of the APEC CEO Summit in October. She also
questioned which industry sectors and business groups would be best
to invite.
SHIELDS
STATE PASS USTR FOR FYINUG
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD OTRA SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE READY TO DISCUSS ASEAN TIFA PROPOSALS AT SEOM
REF: STATE 65718
1. Singaporean trade officials are looking forward to discussing
U.S. proposals for the ASEAN-TIFA work plan, but have no proposals
of their own to offer. Ms. Sulaimah Mahmood, Director of the ASEAN
Division of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, told Econoff July 9
that she would advise USTR to broach their proposals on a regional
basis rather than as a set of separate bilateral agreements in order
to deflect unnecessary attention to Burma, which would inevitably be
excluded.
2. Mahmood was generally positive about the work plan proposals and
had comments only on select topics. On Logistics Services Protocol,
Mahmood said that Singapore was very interested but had sensed a
lukewarm response from other member countries. On Digital Economy
Protocol, Singapore was interested but would need to see more detail
before discussing in depth.
3. Mahmood said that Trade Finance was not as crucial an issue as
it had been six months ago, and was not enthusiastic about pursuing
a work plan proposal on the topic. She noted that both APEC and
ASEAN had recently completed surveys on the topic tow which only
four countries had responded, but of those four Cambodia, Indonesia
and Vietnam said trade finance was not a problem. Only Thailand
indicated it was a moderate problem.
4. On the Government and Business Dialogue proposal, Mahmood said
timing was a challenge for the dialogue and suggested it could be
held on the fringes of the APEC CEO Summit in October. She also
questioned which industry sectors and business groups would be best
to invite.
SHIELDS