Welcome Remarks by Mr Michael Gray, SIF Governor, at the Singapore Encore in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Rear Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Singapore’s Acting
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts

UAE Minister of State, Her Excellency Reem Al-Hashimy
Mr. Dileep Nair, Singapore’s Consul-General to Dubai

Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening! It is wonderful to be in the company of so many friends from the United Arab Emirates this evening.

On behalf of the Singapore International Foundation, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Singapore Encore — a cultural initiative that showcases some of the best talents Singapore has to offer. The SIF is a non-for-profit organisation that seeks to nurture active global citizens and friends for Singapore. Through our international volunteerism and cultural exchange programmes, we hope to be a bridge of friendship between Singaporeans and the rest of world.

Since its inception in 2004, Singapore Encore has travelled to cities like Los Angeles, New York, Vienna, Tokyo and Manila. The Middle East is a region of significant political, social and economic importance to Singapore. Through the Middle East Eminent Persons Programme jointly organised with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SIF has also hosted the visits of 11 prominent personalities from the Middle East since the programme started in 2007. Dubai, as a major business and tourism hub in the region, is undeniably an ideal venue for Singapore Encore’s Middle Eastern debut.

Singapore is a small and young nation. Even as we build our economy and infrastructure, we believe that it is in fact our cultural and ethnic diversity that has shaped who we are. Singapore Encore presents an opportunity for Singapore artists and their works to captivate an international audience. At the same time, it seeks to engage our foreign friends through an understanding and appreciation of a flourishing arts hub which is uniquely Singaporean.

Tonight, we will enjoy an exhibition by the Photo-Art Association of Singapore, performances by Singapore jazz diva Claressa Monteiro and a young singing talent Kareema Ramli. Complementing all this will be some signature dishes of Singaporean cuisine prepared by Mohammad Ali Kunhi, an award-winning Singaporean chef from the Atlantis’ Saffron Restaurant.

It is my privilege to welcome Singapore’s Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Rear Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, as our Special Guest this evening. Thank you, Minister, for being here with us.

This event is made possible only because of the strong partnership provided by the Singapore Consulate-General in Dubai. I want to express a heartfelt thank you to the Consul-General and his team for their commitment and hard work.

Finally, and most importantly, to all of our guests, I hope you will find much pleasure as you become acquainted with our Singaporean cultural and gourmet delights. Through Singapore Encore, we look forward to finding new ways to build upon our strong friendship and cooperation.

I wish you all a delightful and memorable evening ahead.

Thank you and enjoy!