Brand Singapore burnishes neutral credentials

US President Donald Trump landed just past 8pm Singapore time on Monday, flying in from the G7 meeting in Canada. The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived at Changi Airport earlier in the afternoon. The Pan-Island Expressway, an arterial freeway on the island suspended traffic for a while in order to allow the North Korean delegation free movement - an unusual move that indicated how serious the host country is in orchestrating its security arrangements.
But then, many things about the summit are unusual. North Korean planes being allowed into Singaporean airspace is unusual. Sanctions being lifted even briefly and with limitations (ideally by participants in the summit, and imports permitted toward promoting the summit).
To step back, the role of Singapore in orchestrating and arranging the Trump-Kim summit propels the country to a greater degree of prominence on the global stage. The little red dot as the country is described, has always punched above its weight but this event propels it much further. Taking a page from Switzerland's diplomatic policy, Singapore has chosen to not just play the neutral host, but has actively sought to create the stage for the summit. The country plans to spend at least SGD20 million in hosting the summit. The spillover effect on Brand Singapore is likely to be enormous.
The media has been touting this as 'the potentially historic' summit. In dealing with North Korea over decades, some of the world's most powerful countries have learnt to exercise caution.
In the run-up to the event, Twitter has been alive with questions and suggestions as to which party would pay for Team Kim. While there is no clarity on that, the presidential suite at the St Regis hotel where the North Korean leader is staying, is priced SGD8,000 a night. The lobby has masses of red anthuriums - considered auspicious - to greet the special guest.
Meanwhile, from Bromance-themed beverages to kimchi-infused burgers, T-shirts demanding peace, and even actor-impersonator shows, businesses have provided an enthusiastic nod to the event.
Over 2,500 journalists who have specially flown in for the event are at a media centre at the F1 pit building - nowhere close to where the summit takes place in Capella Hotel in Sentosa Island, or the Shangri-La where Trump is staying, or even the St Regis, where Kim appears to be staying. All three areas have been declared as 'special event areas,' with heightened security arrangements including bag and body checks of visitors.
When spoken to about the humidity hovering well above 70 per cent combined with 32 (degree) Celsius weather, locals pointed out cheerfully, that it was excellent for the sweet, creamy, pungent-smelling fruit, durians, so loved by practically all Singaporeans. So, if the stars of the summit can't handle the energy-sapping weather, they would do well to enjoy a serving of durian to sweeten the deal.
- harveena@khaleejtimes.com