Bangladesh's Prime Minister Khaleda Zia began a three-day visit to Singapore on Monday to push for increased trade with the wealthy city-state. Zia met her counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and they "recognized the common challenges that both countries face," a Singapore government statement said. "Singapore and Bangladesh can work together to promote economic growth through free trade and investment," the statement said, without elaborating. Singapore is Bangladesh's second-largest trading partner in southern Asia. Its companies have invested a total of nearly US$700 million (¤525 million), according to official figures from Bangladesh. Zia also met Singapore President S.R. Nathan Monday, and is scheduled to meet Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew later. She will deliver a lecture to businessmen, diplomats and government officials Tuesday. Zia's entourage includes Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan, as well as a 14-member business delegation. Bangladesh imports about US$1 billion (¤750 million) worth of goods from Singapore annually, while exporting US$200 million (¤150 million) to the city-state each year. Zia leaves for home on Wednesday.
