National-
Singapore and Thailand have agreed to expedite discussions over setting up a “Green Lane” for business travel between the two countries, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, August 26.
The productive talk was a part of the Singapore-Thailand Political Consultation meetings and co-chaired by permanent secretaries of the two foreign affairs ministries, Chee Wee Kiong and Busaya Mathelin, who spoke via video conference.
Singapore’s “Green Lane” proposal was introduced in early August to welcome tourists from other countries where the Covid-19 situation is similar to or better than that in Singapore.
The arrangement will allow travel for business and official purposes between the two countries. Those who are eligible will have to abide by Singapore’s health measures such as taking Covid-19 swab tests and submitting their itineraries.
According to the Singapore Ministry, both countries also agree to emphasize the significance of working with ASEAN partners to promote research and development on Covid-19 vaccines and keep their economies open and connected as well as establish an agenda to deal with public health emergencies in the future.
Singapore is currently in negotiation with many countries in Asia, including Japan, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to draft a business travel framework which is expected to be finalized in early September before the agreement would possibly be signed later this year.
Photo Courtesy: The Straits Times
