Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently defended an exclusive deal struck with Taylor Swift, preventing the pop star from taking her current Eras Tour to any other location in Southeast Asia.
Swift is set to perform six concerts in Singapore from March 2 to 9 under this exclusive agreement, which has stirred criticism from some of Singapore’s Southeast Asian neighbors who feel deprived of the economic benefits typically associated with Swift’s concerts in their countries.
The deal provided Swift with certain incentives from a government fund established to revive the tourism industry in Singapore following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Lee did not disclose the cost of the deal, he emphasized the success of the arrangement and its positive impact on the Singaporean economy.
Despite concerns raised by other Southeast Asian nations within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Lee maintained that the deal was not meant to be unfriendly towards Singapore’s neighbors.
During an ASEAN leaders’ summit in Melbourne, Lee addressed questions about potential tensions resulting from the exclusive deal, stating that such arrangements are common among countries vying for high-profile events.
He hinted that if Singapore had not secured the deal, another neighboring country might have done so, emphasizing the importance of mutually beneficial agreements for economic growth and regional goodwill.
Swift’s representatives have yet to issue a statement regarding the deal. Lee also highlighted the need for countries like Australia to make similar arrangements with Swift to ensure a positive outcome for all parties involved.
He expressed confidence in the benefits of such agreements and the potential for Singapore to gain economic growth and goodwill from hosting the exclusive concerts. Despite uncertainties about Swift’s future performances in Southeast Asia, Lee remained open to possibilities while underscoring the importance of reaching mutually beneficial agreements in the region.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who hosted the ASEAN summit, attended one of Swift’s concerts in Sydney last month, further highlighting the growing importance of such high-profile events in fostering international relations and economic growth.
