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BUENOS AIRES: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make his first working visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday, November 28, at the 13th G20 Leaders' Summit, at the invitation of Argentine President Mauricio Macri, announced the Prime Minister's Office to a statement.
Mr. Lee will be received by Mr. Macri for a luncheon meeting with Esteban Bullrich, senator from the province of Buenos Aires, and Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, mayor of the city, on Thursday.
Economic relations between Singapore and Argentina have grown over the years, with bilateral investment flows reaching nearly 600 million Singaporean dollars in 2016 and trade and services representing more than 200 million dollars Singaporeans.
In July, Singapore began negotiations for a free trade agreement between MERCOSUR and its country. MERCOSUR is a South American customs union of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, representing a market of approximately 295 million people with a total GDP of $ 2.9 billion US.
Singapore also hosted the Argentina-Singapore Business Forum in August.
Lee will also participate in the G20 Leaders Summit, to be held from November 30 to December 1.
Under the Argentine presidency, the theme of this year's summit is "Building Consensus for Just and Sustainable Development". The Buenos Aires Summit will be the 13th meeting of G20 Heads of State and Government.
Singapore has been invited to the Summit as ASEAN President for 2018. This is the eighth time that the country has participated in the G20 Leaders Summit.
As a member of the global governance group, Singapore also hopes to promote stronger engagement between the G20 and other UN members.
During his four-day trip, Lee will be joined by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, and other government officials.
In his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will be acting Prime Minister.
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