SINGAPOREANS MARRYING FOREIGNERS VIA MATCH-MAKING SERVICES?

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- About 8,000 Singaporeans were married to
foreign citizens last year, the Singapore parliament was told Tuesday.

Of these, 6,360 marriages were between Singaporean grooms and foreign
brides, said Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Vivian
Balakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the current 11th sitting of
Parliament.

This was an increase from 5,414 in 2004.

The minister was asked on the number of locally-registered marriages between
Singaporean grooms and foreign brides as a result of match-making services in
the last five years.

Last year, 24,596 marriages were recorded recorded in the city state.

He said the ministry was unable to ascertain how many of the marriages
involving foreigners were match-made.

He also said that last year, 746 Singaporean men divorced their foreign
spouses.

Divorce involving Singaporean grooms and non-Singaporean brides represented
11 per cent of the total number of cases, he added.

Dr Vivian said the divorce rate of transnational marriages involving
Singaporean grooms and foreign brides was not significantly different from other
marriages.

He said the government recognised that cultural differences and linguistic
barriers were a challenge in any marriage.

He said his ministry had been working with related bodies to provide
marriage preparation and enrichment programmes to all couples.

The minister said the government was also looking into formulating
programmes tailored for Singaporean-Foreigner marriages.

Marriage counsellors and educators conducting such programmes could be
equipped with the skills to address cross-cultural issues, he added.
-- BERNAMA