CHANDIGARH: A 24-member high powered delegation of Singapore Government led by its Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong Tuesday called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his residence this evening and put forth proposals to make investments in infrastructure development in Punjab by the Singapore Government.

Taking part in the deliberations with Badal, Tong evinced keen interest for making huge investment in Airport, Power, roads & bridges and housing sector in Punjab to boost the bilateral trade and investment as a follow up to the economic agreement signed by the  Prime Ministers of India and Singapore.

It may be recalled the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in 2005 to boost bilateral trade and investment besides opening up the banking industry, liberalizing the services sector and easing visa restrictions for professionals of the two countries was signed between the premiers of both countries. 

He informed Badal that PHD chamber of commerce would soon lead a delegation of eminent industrialists and investors from Punjab to Singapore to visualize the investment potential there.

He also extended an invitation to Badal to lead a Government delegation to Singapore to study the development in different facets of Singapore economy.

Tong informed Badal that the delegation would have one to one interaction with the officers of the state government to further explore the possibilities of mutual cooperation on technology sharing and making investments in collaboration with the state government in the Industrial and infrastructural sector.

Badal informed the Singapore Senior Minister that Singapore based company - Jurong international had already conceptualized various mega housing and shopping mall projects in Punjab besides preparing master plans for Mohali, Ludhiana and Amritsar.

He also asked the Singapore Government to make investments in the power sector as the state government had already floated global tenders for two thermal plants out of three to be set up at Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura.  

The Chief Minister assured Tong that the Punjab Government would extend all possible assistance to the Singapore government for setting up of new joint venture of mutual interest and cooperation.

Meanwhile, Industries & Local Government  Minister Manoranjan Kalia also had an extensive interaction with the members of the visiting delegation about the prospects and scope of future investments in the state.

Prominent amongst others who are present on the occasion included Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary Punjab R.I. Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister D.S. Guru and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister A.K. Mahajan.