President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine, touring the countries of Southeast Asia, has arrived in Singapore from Vietnam.

Mutual investment and reform experience in Singapore have become major topics of conversation between Viktor Yanukovych and President of the Republic of Singapore Sellapan Ramanathan, the presidential press service reported.

"Your swift steps showed the world how to build a new economy with virtually no resources. Therefore, our country is very interested in the experience of reforms undertaken by Singapore and the successful way that they have already passed," Viktor Yanukovych said, adding that Ukraine is interested in attracting investments from Singapore.

At the same time, the President continued, the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Singapore "as a partner to which it is ready to offer open trade and economic relations."

In turn, Sellapan Ramanathan said he hoped to start a new period of development of relations with Ukraine and the positive results of the upcoming joint business forum. According to him, Singapore companies will help Ukraine implement national projects.

At a meeting of Viktor Yanukovych with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, it was proposed to create a Ukraine-Singapore business council for public-private cooperation.

They discussed the prospects for direct flights between Kyiv and Singapore, as well as the negotiation of a free trade area and the introduction of visa-free regime.

UKRINFORM