Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is embarking on a five-day state visit to Sweden from October 17 to 21, with the objective of bolstering diplomatic, economic, and business ties between the two nations. This visit commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations and marks the first state visit to Sweden by a Singaporean president.
During his stay, President Tharman will receive a ceremonial welcome at Stockholm’s Royal Palace and attend a state banquet hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. He is expected to meet with Swedish parliamentary leaders, including Speaker Andreas Norlén and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, to discuss various bilateral initiatives.
The visit will also focus on fostering business relationships. President Tharman is set to engage with Swedish entrepreneurs and business leaders, visit the youth empowerment organization Fryshuset, and deliver a lecture at the Stockholm School of Economics. In Gothenburg, he and King Carl XVI Gustaf will tour Chalmers University of Technology and the World of Volvo automotive museum to discuss advancements in transport and business.
Accompanying President Tharman on this trip are his spouse, Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, government ministers, members of parliament, and representatives from Singaporean business and government sectors. This visit follows a series of high-level exchanges, including the planned state visit of the Swedish king to Singapore in November 2024 and other visits by senior officials from both countries.
Economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of Singapore-Sweden relations. Trade in goods between the two countries reached $1.9 billion in 2025, while trade in services totaled $1.4 billion in 2024. Sweden’s foreign direct investment in Singapore was reported at $9.7 billion in 2024, compared to Singapore’s $1.6 billion in investments in Sweden. Nearly 600 Swedish companies operate in Singapore, highlighting the strength and potential for further collaboration in business, technology, and innovation.