Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secretary-general Tan Cheng Bock and Workers’ Party (WP) chairman Sylvia Lim were among those who were invited to the King’s Day reception hosted by the Belgium Embassy in Singapore. The annual event took place on 14 Nov this year at the Victoria Concert Hall.

The function, which serves to celebrate bilateral relations between Singapore and Belgium, was a high-profile one and saw the attendance of prominent members of Singapore society, the Belgian community and the diplomatic corps. Ruling party politicians like Minister of State Sam Tan, Macpherson SMC MP Tin Pei Ling and Sembawang GRC MP Lim Wee Kiak were among the attendees.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Ms Sylvia Lim appear to have been the only opposition politicians who were present at the function. The PSP shared on Facebook that Dr Tan met with Ambassador Andy Detaille, Ms Lim as well as other esteemed guests, including entrepreneurs, law professionals, and ambassadors.

The Belgium Embassy in Singapore said that Ambassador Detaille and Mr Sam Tan discussed the flourishing bilateral relationship between Singapore and Belgium in the trade industry as well as people-to-people, cultural and educational exchanges. The Embassy added:

“Both Belgium and Singapore are small, diverse, dynamic and outward-looking states whose economies are in the heart of our respective regions in Europe and Asia. Our country is Singapore’s 5th largest trading partner in the EU while the city-state is Belgium’s top trading partner in ASEAN.

“The imminent entry into force of the EU-Singapore FTA promises to enhance our levels of cooperation even further. Look forward to excelling bilateral ties!”

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