JEDDAH — Singapore Ambassador Chowming Wong, accompanied by Consul General Raziff Aljunied, Maurice Salahudin Woo Xuejan, second secretary (political), and Syfulnizar Hamid, vice consul (political), made a courtesy visit to the Okaz Organization for Press and Publication on Wednesday and were taken on a tour of the media house.

Wong met with Okaz Editor in Chief and General Supervisor of the Saudi Gazette Editorial Jameel Altheyabi at his office and discussed a wide range of subjects. Members of the Okaz and Saudi Gazette editorial attended the meeting.

The Singapore envoy highlighted the strategic relations between and Singapore and Saudi Arabia and said, “The relations are strong and on an upward curve.”

Wong’s response, to a query from Altheyabi about his first impressions of the Kingdom, was succinct, saying, “It is really amazing how the country has developed and changed.”

He said, that he had visited the Kingdom briefly prior to his appointment as ambassador and had seen a developing nation. “I traveled by taxis and talked to young Saudis who were excited about the change that’s happening.”

“But it was in the last three years that Saudi Arabia has been transformed into a vibrant modern country, with development in every sphere.

“This transformation would not have happened but for the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, who has projected an ambitious Vision 2030 that is being realized by an emerging pool of talented youth.

“The Crown Prince’s empowerment of women is also driving the change, with an additional 50% of talent joining the workforce.”

He also elaborated on the Singapore’s President Halima Yacob, who was elected unopposed at the 2017 presidential election. She is the first female president of Singapore and first Malay head of state in 47 years.

He also unveiled that Singapore has been invited to attend the G20 Summit in Riyadh. — SG