After Japan, Faure Gnassingbé is heading for Singapore. The president of Togo will pay an official visit to the city-state from Monday. He will be meeting the President, SR Nathan.
He will also meet business houses and officials from Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE).
SCE is a government agency that was formed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore to respond effectively to the many foreign requests to tap on Singapore’s development experience.
This country of just under 5 million people has a booming economy, characterized by an environment which is open and free of corruption.
A model that Faure Gnassingbé dreams of exporting to Togo.
Singapore's prosperity comes from several sectors, banking and financial services (2nd Asian financial center after Japan), the port and containers (second port in the world by volume after Shanghai), shipbuilding, oil refining, armament and electronics.
Two particular areas of interest to the Togolese authorities, the port activity and free zones in which local firms can bring their expertise and funding.
Singapore does not hide its interest in Africa. Each year, "the Africa Singapore Business Forum", aims to be a unique meeting place for doing business on the continent.