World Commentary
Few partnerships are more like-minded than the one between Australia and Singapore. We are historically connected, strategically aligned and economically complementary.
Last week, our two countries concluded a landmark agreement, known as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, to take relations to an even higher level. This agreement will transform our longstanding friendship into a dynamic, innovative and truly strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described the outcome as a "massive upgrading" of our relations. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said "this is a win-win deal that will cement relations and benefit Australians and Singaporeans for years to come". 
As countries in the Asia-Pacific, Australia and Singapore want to work together to promote peace and prosperity for our peoples and region. Like Australia, Singapore believes in a rules-based system founded on the principles of international law. This shared strategic perspective makes us strong, long-term partners.
Ours is a partnership deeply rooted in history. Australia was the first country that established diplomatic relations with Singapore, on   August 18, 1965, a fact remembered and appreciated by all Singaporeans. We also remember the Australian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the defence of Singapore in World War II. The fall of Singapore on 15   February 1942, was a traumatic for both countries.
The CSP builds on our political past and looks to our economic future. This landmark agreement will further integrate and intertwine our economies, creating a Closer Economic Relationship akin to the CER between Australia and New Zealand.
Our goal is to create a seamless flow of trade, investment and capital between Australia and Singapore.
A significant outcome is the decision to update and modernise the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Signed in 2003, SAFTA was one of the earliest free-trade agreements for both countries. Thanks to SAFTA, our economic partnership has grown from strength to strength. Today, Singapore is Australia's fifth-largest trading and investment partner, with total trade at $30 billion and cumulative Singapore investments in Australia amounting to $80bn.
As part of the Third Review of SAFTA, Singapore has offered unprecedented access to Australian businesses and service providers. For instance, qualified Australian business people, investors, executives, service suppliers and their families will enjoy improved mobility and length of stay in Singapore. Australians will find it easier to start a business in Singapore and promote their goods and services, not just to Singapore but also to the booming region of Southeast Asia that has a population of more than 600 million people.
Significantly, Singapore has agreed to provide greater certainty for Australian lawyers and law firms operating in Singapore, and for Singapore law firms partnering with them. We will also start a process to enable the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, with priority for engineers and accountants. In addition, Singapore will recognise a number of Australian medical and allied health qualifications.
These measures will increase opportunities for Australian-trained professionals to practise in Singapore. It reinforces the attractiveness of Australian educational institutions to students from Singapore and the region. Many of Singapore's economic commitments to Australia have never been made to any other country.
This reflects Singapore's desire for closer economic relations with Australia over the long term.
An exciting outcome is increased co-operation in innovation and research and development. We have decided to bring together our research and scientific bodies, in particular the National Research Foundation and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore and Australia's CSIRO. We have agreed to support their collaboration through matching funding to the tune of $S50 million ($49.8m) over five years.
We are delighted with Australia's decision to establish an innovation "landing pad" in Singapore to support hi-tech start-ups. Singapore is a natural partner for innovation, as we have a vibrant ecosystem of researchers, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
Singapore will work with Austrade to help Australian start-ups partner with Singapore start-ups, researchers and investors. This will increase opportunities for entrepreneurs in Australia who are looking to make the big leap, to expand into Asia and even go global.
A significant outcome is the decision to deepen our defence co-operation. For more than 25 years, Singapore has been sending its soldiers and air force pilots to Australia for training. Our decision to expand defence co-operation is a natural progression from what we have done together.
We have agreed to jointly develop military training areas and facilities in Australia and have identified Shoalwater Bay Training Area and Townsville as the two sites most suitable for Singapore's requirements. This will allow Singapore to train up to 14,000 soldiers for a period of 18 weeks annually.
The Singapore Armed Forces works closely with the Australian Defence Force. We will build on this partnership by elevating Exercise Trident to a signature bilateral military exercise. With such joint training, we will build stronger bonds between the SAF and ADF and increase the level of inter-operability.
Australia and Singapore are multicultural, multi-religious countries that face the common threat of violent extremism. We have agreed to enhance intelligence and information sharing, such as in counter-terrorism. We have much to gain by sharing experiences in counter-radicalisation. These initiatives will strengthen institutional links between our defence and intelligence officials and increase understanding between our two countries.
Young people are our future. The strong people-to-people links between Australia and Singapore will be strengthened through youth exchanges. Singapore is delighted to be the newest participant in Australia's Work and Holiday Maker Program which allows our youth to experience each other's countries and undertake short-term work and/or study to supplement their holiday.
We will also start exchanges between Australian and Singapore schools, including teacher exchanges. These new initiatives, together with Singapore's participation in Australia's New Colombo Plan, will strengthen our ties.
An important component of any partnership is cultural co-operation. This is an exciting area that can bring our people together. We have decided to establish an Australia-Singapore Arts Group to increase collaboration among our artists and cultural institutions.
The Singapore government will provide funding of up to $S5m over a period of five years to support Singapore artists and arts groups to showcase their works in Australia.
These are exciting times for Australia-Singapore relations. We are old friends embarking on a new, enhanced partnership. There is much to be gained from working together as we face the challenges of our common future.Burhan Gafoor is high commissioner of Singapore to Australia