The moment has been captured for posterity with a photograph of the signees and the British High Commissioner to Singapore standing in front of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth. The DesignSingapore Council and the British Council have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that targets a long-term collaborative relationship between Singapore and the UK through the mutual support of design activities and exchanges.

The MOU was inked on 5 July 2018 by Mark Wee, Executive Director of the DesignSingapore Council, and Roland Davies, Country Director of the British Council Singapore. The event was hosted by the British High Commissioner.

“This MoU, which is the first of its kind, will open doors of opportunity for both our design industries. It will help advance our design sectors, through the sharing of knowledge, supporting business expansion and developing our design talent,” said Wee.

Under the agreement, networking sessions and trade missions will forge business partnerships; design talent will be developed through exchange programs; and cross-marketing efforts and partnerships will promote the joint celebration of design festivals and awards.

A trade and design mission from Singapore to London is being organised for September 2018, with a reciprocal visit to Singapore in April 2019.

According to the DesignSingapore Council, the mission to the UK will consist of Singapore design firms and practitioners who would like to learn from best-in-class UK design companies in emergent design practices such as experience and service design, and explore opportunities for partnerships with their UK counterparts and businesses.

The British Council works with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Said Davies, “We see real opportunities in the design space for greater partnership and collaboration, a sharing of design excellence, talent development and new business opportunities. We look forward to a fruitful partnership.”