Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is embarking on a five-day state visit to Sweden from October 17 to 21, marking the first-ever state visit to Sweden by a Singaporean president. The visit is aimed at enhancing the already robust diplomatic, economic, and business ties between the two nations, which are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
President Tharman’s agenda includes a ceremonial welcome at Stockholm’s Royal Palace and a state banquet hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. High-level meetings are planned with Swedish parliamentary leaders, including Speaker Andreas Norlén and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. This visit underscores the continued high-level exchanges between the two countries, following the Swedish king’s state visit to Singapore in November 2024.
In addition to political engagements, President Tharman will interact with Swedish entrepreneurs and business leaders to explore further collaboration opportunities. His itinerary also includes a visit to Fryshuset, a youth empowerment organization, and delivering a lecture at the Stockholm School of Economics. Together with King Carl XVI Gustaf, he will visit Chalmers University of Technology and the World of Volvo automotive museum in Gothenburg to discuss advancements in transport and business.
Economic cooperation remains a pivotal aspect of the bilateral relationship. Trade in goods between Singapore and Sweden reached $1.9 billion in 2025, with services trade totaling $1.4 billion in 2024. Sweden has a significant foreign direct investment presence in Singapore, amounting to $9.7 billion in 2024, while Singapore’s direct investments in Sweden stood at $1.6 billion. Nearly 600 Swedish companies operate in Singapore, highlighting the strength of commercial ties and opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as business, technology, and innovation.
President Tharman is accompanied by his spouse, Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, alongside several Singaporean government ministers, members of parliament, and representatives from business and government organizations, all aiming to foster deeper ties and explore new avenues for cooperation between Singapore and Sweden.