Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday defended an unique deal his city-state struck with Taylor Swift that forestalls the pop star taking her present Eras Tour to wherever else in Southeast Asia.
Swift is performing six live shows from March 2 to 9 in Singapore underneath an unique deal that has been criticized by some Southeast Asian neighbors who complain they’ve been disadvantaged of the vacationer growth that her live shows have introduced elsewhere.
Lee confirmed that Swift was supplied with “sure incentives” from a authorities fund established to rebuild tourism business after COVID-19 disruptions to make Singapore her solely Southeast Asian vacation spot. He didn’t say how a lot the deal price.
He mentioned he didn’t regard the deal as unfriendly towards his neighbors within the 10-country Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations.
“It has turned out to be a really profitable association. I don’t see that as being unfriendly,“ Lee mentioned within the Australian metropolis of Melbourne, the place he’s attending an ASEAN leaders’ summit.
Lee didn’t straight reply when requested if he had encountered “dangerous blood” amongst different leaders as a result of deal.
Lees steered that if Singapore hadn’t struck an unique deal, a neighboring nation might need completed so.
“Typically one nation makes a deal, typically one other nation does. I don’t explicitly say ‘you’ll come right here solely given that you’ll not go to different locations,’” Lee mentioned.
Swift’s consultant didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Lee mentioned he anticipated that Australia equally made “mutually acceptable, smart preparations” with Swift when she carried out in Sydney and Melbourne earlier than flying to Singapore. Lee mentioned he didn’t know what Australia’s preparations have been.
“If that’s what’s wanted to be completed to get an end result which is mutually helpful and which, from Singapore’s viewpoint, serves not simply to develop the financial system but in addition to herald guests and goodwill from everywhere in the area, I don’t see why not,” Lee mentioned.
“If we had not made such an association, would she have come to someplace else in Southeast Asia or extra locations in Southeast Asia? Possibly, possibly not. These are issues that she is going to resolve,” Lee added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who’s internet hosting the ASEAN summit, attended one among Swift’s Sydney live shows final month.
