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Singapore - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-SINGAPORE RELATIONS The United States has maintained formal diplomatic relations with Singapore since that country became independent in 1965. Singapores efforts to maintain economic growth and political stability and its support for regional cooperation harmonize with U.S. policy in the region and form a solid basis for amicable relations between the two countries. The United States and Singapore signed a bilateral free trade agreement on May 6, 2003; the agreement entered into force on January 1, 2004. The growth of U.S. investment in Singapore and the large number of Americans living there enhance opportunities for contact between Singapore and the United States. Many Singaporeans visit and study in the United States. Singapore is a Visa Waiver Program country. The U.S. Government sponsors visitors from Singapore each year under the International Visitor Program. The U.S. Government provides Fulbright awards to enable selected American professors to teach or conduct research at the National University of Singapore and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. It awards scholarships to outstanding Singaporean students for graduate studies at American universities and to American students to study in Singapore. The U.S. Government also sponsors occasional cultural presentations in Singapore. The East-West Center and private American organizations, such as the Asia and Ford Foundations, also sponsor exchanges involving Singaporeans. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--Patricia L. Herbold Deputy Chief of Mission--Judith Fergin Economic/Political Chief--Ike Reed Senior Economic Officer--Paul Horowitz Senior Political Officer--Christopher Kavanagh Consul--Julie Kavanagh Public Affairs Counselor--Valerie Fowler Commercial Counselor--Daniel Thompson Management Counselor--Karen C. Stanton Defense Attache--Alan Oshirak The U.S. Embassy in Singapore is located at 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 (tel. 65-6476-9100, fax 65-6476-9340). The Embassys website is at http://singapore.usembassy.gov.