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SINGAPORE, 22 SEP - HIS Royal Highness Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, will visit Singapore from 1 – 2 October.

The visit will be the first stop on a three-country visit to South East Asia, taking in Vietnam and Thailand.

In Singapore, the Duke will promote and strengthen the UK-Singapore business relationship. In his role as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, His Royal Highness will also highlight and celebrate examples of UK excellence in the field of innovation and creativity.

To this end, the Duke will be presenting the inaugural UKTI Award for Innovation at the British Chamber of Commerce’s annual British Business Awards, in front of an audience of some 500 local business representatives. The award recognises an organisation that has made significant contribution towards strengthening the UK’s excellent reputation in innovation and creativity.

The Duke of York said: "The UK and Singapore have an excellent business relationship. Our economies are knowledge-driven, with innovation and creativity being core concepts valued by both.

"During this visit, I look forward to learning more about such partnerships between British and Singaporean companies. I hope also to be able to encourage more of such collaboration."

On the Duke’s visit, British High Commissioner to Singapore, His Excellency Paul Madden said: "We are delighted to see Singapore becoming almost an annual visit for His Royal Highness in his capacity as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. It is a recognition of the strength of our business relationship, with the UK being the largest foreign investor here.

"The Duke will see for himself that, despite the current downturn, British companies remain committed to Singapore and the region."

The Duke of York will also call on President S R Nathan and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as part of his two-day visit.

His other engagements include witnessing the signing of a Research Collaboration Agreement for Neuroscience Research between the University of Warwick of the UK and the Nanyang Technological University. He will also be launching the new British Council Centre in Toa Payoh and meeting with Commonwealth Scholars at the National University of Singapore to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the inception of this prestigious scholarship programme.

Notes for Editors

The Duke of York

The Duke of York was born on 19th February 1960 at Buckingham Palace, the second son and the third child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. He was the first child to be born to a reigning monarch for 103 years. Named Andrew Albert Christian Edward, he was known as Prince Andrew until his marriage, when he was created The Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh.

After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot, The Duke of York became the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in 2001.

His Royal Highness last visited Singapore in September last year, where he visited GlaxoSmithKline’s technical centre and Rolls-Royce’s fuel cells facility. He also called on the President and met potential investors.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK's dynamic economy - acknowledged as Europe's best place from which to succeed in global business. UK Trade & Investment offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For the latest press releases from UK Trade & Investment register on our on-line newsroom www.newsroom.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

UKTI Award for Innovation

This award, in its inaugural year, recognises a company or an individual who has made a significant contribution to strengthening the excellence in innovation and creativity that the UK is well known for.

In particular, the judges are looking for organisations that have either:

Introduced an innovative British technology, product or service into Singapore or the South East Asian market via Singapore, or;

Partnered a UK organisation to establish an innovative technology, product or service in the UK, or;

Set up an R&D project in the UK, or;

Won business in the Creative Industries sector in Singapore or the South East Asian market via Singapore

Media Contact:

Esther Au Yong
Director of Communications
British High Commission Singapore
Tel.: 6424 4271
Mobile: 9739 4503
esther.auyong@fco.gov.uk

Ng Si Jia
Communications Officer
British High Commission Singapore
Tel: 6424 4255
ng.sijia@fco.gov.uk