Singapore has offered its expertise and assistance for infrastructure development in India. Addressing a business meet in New Delhi on Wednesday Singapore Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore can play a significant role in the development of real estate and roads . Mr. Loong said that economic and commercial ties between the two countries have expanded significantly in recent years particularly after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement CECA. He said economic reforms in India have created a strong basis for cooperation with Singapore, opening up possibilities for significant presence in each other’s economies.

He said Singapore is also the largest FDI investor after Mauritius. He said apart from economic ties Singapore had old cultural relations and it had Sanskrit root in the name which is derived from Singa Purna.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said trade between the two countries has increased from 8.7 million US dollars in 2005 to 1.8 billion dollars in 2011-12. He said 4000 people from India are residing in Singapore. He said Singapore is also playing a significant role in Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor.

Lee Hsien Loong will hold discussions with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh later on Wednesday evening. The visiting dignitary was accorded ceremonial reception at the fore court of Rashtrapati Bhawan.