Singapore always keen to strengthen ties with India: Speaker

Singapore has always been keen to strengthen ties with India, country's Parliament speaker Halimah Yacob has said, urging the city state-based businesses to further develop trade relations with the emerging economy.
Highlighting the two countries' good track record of working closely, Yacob yesterday told members of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) to progress on the past performance.
The speaker said SICCI had long recognised the importance of India as an economic partner for Singapore.
"Business missions to different parts of India on a regular basis have ensured that businesses in Singapore are kept aware of the ever-changing economic landscape of India," he said at SICCI's annual general meeting."

She also noted SICCI's endeavours in meeting Singapore Indian business community needs, and assured that the chamber would continue to play its vital role in the development of Singapore's trade and investment relations with India and Indian businesses globally.
Meanwhile, SICCI would be sending two business missions to India this year, programmes for which would be worked out after the ongoing general elections, said SICCI's newly- appointed chairman R Theyvendran.
"We are definitely going to send at least two missions to India, but we are not clear on the market direction at this stage of the elections. We really do not know which way the wind blows," he said.