On 10th October 2024, Conference on Shandong State-owned Enterprises Cooperation with Singapore, a high-level conference aimed at promoting investment opportunities in Shandong, Greater China, was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. This conference brought together prominent industry players to explore potential collaborations and boost economic ties between China and Singapore. One of the key outcomes of the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd (SFS) and Shandong Port, marking a significant step toward enhancing trade and investment in the Shandong region and giving SFS a first-mover advantage to access to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Shandong.

Roger Quek, CEO and Managing Director of Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd, attended the conference to sign the MoU on behalf of SFS. This strategic partnership is expected to strengthen financial services and support infrastructure development in Shandong, a crucial region in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The partnership will combine SFS’s financial expertise with Shandong Port’s capabilities as one of China’s largest port operators, fostering mutual growth and creating new opportunities for both parties.

The signing of this MoU highlights the growing importance of Shandong as a hub for global trade and investment, while reinforcing Singapore's role as a key financial player in the region. With this collaboration, both organizations aim to contribute to the development of logistics, supply chain management, and trade flows between China and the global markets.