Official visit to Central Asia
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make official visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from Aug 24 to Aug 31, the Prime Minister's Office announced on Aug 23. This will be his first visit to Central Asia, according to both CNA and The Straits Times.
Kazakhstan: Astana and Almaty
Lee will visit Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan from Aug 24 to Aug 27. In Astana, he is scheduled to meet President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, and Deputy Prime Ministers Zhaslan Madiyev and Kanat Bozumbayev. The Straits Times notes that Madiyev is also Minister for Digital Development.
During the visit, Lee will be conferred the Order of Dostyk (Friendship) of the First Class Award by President Tokayev. Both CNA and The Straits Times report that previous recipients include former president Halimah Yacob and the late Lee Kuan Yew. The Straits Times specifies that Lee Kuan Yew received the award in 2012 and Halimah Yacob in 2023.
Lee will deliver a lecture at Nazarbayev University, where he will be conferred an honorary professorship. The Straits Times adds that the university, established in 2010, is an autonomous research university set up as part of Kazakhstan's efforts to develop its higher education and research sector.
In Almaty, Lee will be hosted to lunch by the mayor, Darkhan Satybaldy, and will meet Singapore and Kazakh business leaders.
Bilateral ties and trade
Singapore and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations in March 1993, according to The Straits Times. The two countries have exchanged state visits: Kazakhstan's president visited Singapore in May 2024, and then-President Halimah visited Kazakhstan in May 2023.
Kazakhstan is Singapore's largest trading partner in Central Asia. Bilateral trade in goods amounted to S$326.6 million, and trade in services totalled S$159 million, as reported by both CNA and The Straits Times. The Straits Times also reports that Singapore's stock of direct investment in Kazakhstan stood at $2.1 billion, with 158 Singapore overseas affiliates operating there. A bilateral Services and Investment Agreement entered into force in March 2025, giving Singapore companies greater market access, according to The Straits Times.
CNA adds that cooperation between the two countries is expanding into new areas such as water management, digital integration, and research exchanges.
Uzbekistan: Tashkent and Samarkand
Lee will visit Tashkent and Samarkand in Uzbekistan from Aug 27 to 31. In Tashkent, he will meet President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. He will also speak at the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the upper house of the Uzbek parliament. In Samarkand, the region's governor, Adiz Boboev, will host him for lunch.
Singapore and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations in April 1997, according to The Straits Times. High-level exchanges include visits by President Mirziyoyev to Singapore in January 2023 and by then-President Halimah to Uzbekistan in May 2023.
Uzbekistan was Singapore's second-largest services trading partner in Central Asia in 2024 and its third-largest goods trading partner in 2025, as reported by both sources. The Straits Times adds that bilateral trade in goods with Uzbekistan was $69 million in 2025, trade in services was $109.6 million in 2024, and Singapore's direct investment stock was $390 million in 2024.
CNA reports that Singapore and Uzbekistan are expected to sign a joint statement during the visit to formalise the intention to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement.
Accompanying delegation
Lee will be accompanied by Minister of State Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Member of Parliament Foo Cexiang, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Prime Minister's Office.
Perspectives
No additional perspectives were reported in the available material.