India, Singapore trade ties strong

SINGAPORE: Singapore has always considered India as an important trade and business partner and both have been successful in strengthening these ties, Speaker of the island nation's Parliament Halimah Yacob has said.

Addressing the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) members, Yacob said the two countries have good track record of working closely.

She further said that SICCI has always 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," Yacob said at SICCI's annual general meeting and dinner.

She also highlighted SICCI's endeavours in meeting Singapore Indian business community needs, and assured that the chamber would continue to play a vital role in the development of Singapore's trade and investment relations with India and Indian businesses globally.

Speaking on the occasion, SICCI's newly appointed chairman R Theyvendran said the chamber would be sending two business missions to India this year and programmes for which would be worked out after the ongoing general elections in the country.

"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)," he said.

"We really do not know which way the wind blows (in the elections)," added Theyvendran echoing Indian community's strong interest in the ongoing voting patterns.