Collection of Official Fees for Honorary Consuls-General and Honorary Consuls

19 Mr Victor Lye asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) whether there are signed agreements for Honorary Consuls-General and Honorary Consuls to retain the official fees they collect; and (b) as such fee collections are not tracked, what is the assurance that the actual fees collected do not exceed the official rates set out in the Schedule to the Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Fees) Order 2012.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Honorary Consuls-General (HCGs) and Honorary Consuls (HCs) are distinguished individuals appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to advance Singapore's diplomatic and economic interests internationally. They provide consular assistance to Singaporeans overseas who need help. HCGs and HCs are not compensated for their services and bear all the costs of operating their consulates, including rental expenses and staff salaries.

MFA's agreement for HCGs and HCs to retain the fees they collect to offset their expenditure is stipulated in the terms and conditions of their letters of appointment. Every year, MFA informs HCGs and HCs of the fee rates to be charged for services provided according to the Schedule to the Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Fees) Order 2012. HCGs and HCs are required to post public notices of the schedule of fees, and members of the public can check the amount paid against the schedule.

MFA will regularise the accounting of fees collected by HCGs and HCs.