SPEECH BY THE AMBASSADOR OF SINGAPORE TO EGYPT, H.E. TAN HUNG SENG, AT THE SINGAPORE AIRLINES CAIRO NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH EVENT ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2011

SPEECH BY THE AMBASSADOR OF SINGAPORE TO EGYPT, H.E. TAN HUNG SENG, AT THE SINGAPORE AIRLINES CAIRO NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH EVENT ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2011

1 Good morning, Captain Sameh Hefny, President of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr Ahmed Hafiz, Chairman of the Cairo Airport Authority, Mr Casey Owyong, Regional Vice-President of Singapore Airlines, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

2 I am pleased to be here with all of you today to celebrate the launch of Singapore Airlines' newly retrofitted B777-200 aircraft for the Singapore-Cairo route. You have heard from Mr Casey Owyong the many exciting features of this new aircraft and as a frequent flier between Cairo and Singapore, I must confess that I have been waiting eagerly for this day! But today's event represents more than just the launch of a new product. Allow me to elaborate this point by sharing three observations with you. First, today's launch reflects the confidence that Singapore and Singapore Airlines have in Egypt's long-term tourism potential. Notwithstanding the challenges facing the tourism sector today, we are confident that tourists will return to Egypt once the right conditions have been restored. As I have always told my friends in the tourism industry, they have a wonderful product that practically sells itself. Egypt has history. Egypt has natural beauty and Egypt has a warm and hospitable people.

3 Second, Asia represents an exciting and new growth market for Egyptian tourism. As the centre of economic gravity shifts to Asia, the disposable incomes of Asian consumers have risen significantly. Consequently, many will look beyond Asia for more exotic and exciting travel destinations. According to the International Air Transport Association, the Asia-Pacific is already the largest market in the world for air travel. With its hub at Changi Airport, which is the world's seventh busiest airport serving more than 100 international airlines flying to some 200 cities, Singapore Airlines is well-positioned as the air-bridge linking Asia and Egypt. Singapore Airlines has consistently kept faith in Egypt since it first mounted flights to Cairo in 1984. Unlike other carriers, Singapore Airlines did not stop flying to Cairo during the Gulf Wars and more recently, during the events of 25th January. I am certain that Singapore Airlines is proud to be the most established Asian carrier that has operated without any interruption to Egypt since 1984. And with this new product, Singapore Airlines has reiterated its commitment to enhance Egypt's connectivity with Asia.

4 Third, Singapore Airlines' commitment is reflective of the excellent relations between Egypt and Singapore. This year, we mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Singapore Embassy in Cairo was among the very first overseas missions that we established after achieving independence 46 years ago. Over the years, we have cultivated close people-to-people links as well as deepened bilateral cooperation in diverse areas. One area that I must highlight is the close relationship between our civil aviation authorities. Among other things, 119 Egyptian civil aviation officials have trained at the Singapore Aviation Academy and Captain Hefny's presence today further underscores the goodwill and our win-win partnership in the field of civil aviation.

5 Finally, let me conclude by wishing Singapore Airlines and its partners in Egypt many more years of successful collaboration. Thank you.