Catalan president cites Singapore as example of coexistence of diversity

The president of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, has cited Singapore as a global example of coexistence in a "diverse and plural" country, where different religions and ethnicities have a place.

Illa concludes his trip to South East Asia on Friday, after visiting Vietnam first, before spending some days in the small city-state.

At the Catalonia-Singapore business dialogue conference, Illa said the coexistence "does not make them weak, it makes them strong; I say this because of these messages of fear of what is different that we have in our country."

"Diversity in Singapore is a source of wealth also in Catalonia," he said. 

The conference was organized by the Singapore Business Federation, the country's main business organization representing more than 30,000 companies. 

In a speech delivered in Catalan, Illa shared that Singapore "is an example of how a country small in size, big in ambition, is influential and makes itself heard in the world; let's take note of this."

Continuing his speech in English, Illa encouraged businesspeople in attendance to invest and work in Catalonia. 

He shared the benefits of Catalonia as a "gateway to the Mediterranean and the rest of Europe," as well as describing how the territory is a connection between Europe and Latin America. 

Illa hoped to increase the connection between Catalonia and Singapore, saying "we have a lot in common, despite what the distance might make us think; we are two small territories with big ambitions." 

Illa and the CEO of Singapore Airlines, Goh Choon Phong, met and discussed the reality of 20 years of direct connection between Barcelona and Singapore. The pair shared the desire to strengthen their "long-term" relationship and explore new projects.

The Barcelona-Singapore connection will consolidate direct flights through the year, in a project scheduled for the end of October. 

Illa leaves Singapore on Friday and concludes the trip with 24 meetings that have served to "open doors."