Turkmenistan and Singapore can cooperate on tourism, business and capacity building, The Straits Times cited the President of the Republic of Singapore Halimah Yacob saying at a state banquet for President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Singapore's President Halimah Yacob said Turkmenistan had immense potential to attract more visitors. She pointed to the white marble architecture of the capital Ashgabat and Turkmen famed city of Ancient Merve along the Silk Road.
"Success stories would help to generate more interest in our respective markets and more business interactions," she said in her speech at the Istana banquet.
The banquet rounded off Turkmen President's two-day state visit to Singapore, during which the two nations signed three pacts. Two were on the avoidance of double taxation and mutual exemption of visa requirements for diplomatic, official or service passport holders, and the other was a memorandum of understanding on legal cooperation.
Speaking at the state banquet, President Berdimuhamedov said both countries shared a desire to strengthen peace and stability, and to build a fair system of international ties in the interest of all.
"Turkmenistan and Singapore are building their relations on the principles of equality, deep mutual respect, trust and openness. This will help us in achieving the results on all discussed items and find concrete solutions," the Turkmen President said.
On his first state visit to Singapore, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was accompanied by members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and senior government officials.
On Tuesday afternoon, President Berdimuhamedov received a formal welcome ceremony at the Istana and paid President Halimah a courtesy call.
Turkmen President also met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and briefed him on Turkmenistan's priorities, including developing its infrastructure and connectivity. The leaders noted that energy, oil and gas, transport and communications, banking and textile industry are the main directions of Turkmen-Singapore cooperation.
Turkmen Leader also visited the Asian Civilisations Museum on Tuesday.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left Singapore on Tuesday night.
