Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom arrived in Singapore on Thursday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of his Singapore counterpart S. R. Nathan.

The Singapore Foreign Ministry said this is Gayoom's second state visit to Singapore. He last visited Singapore in 1981.

Speaking at a state banquet he gave in honor of Gayoom on Thursday evening, Nathan said both countries enjoy longstanding and excellent relations, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry.

Nathan noted that Singapore's investments in Maldives have nearly doubled from the year 2000 to 2004, and that it is also Maldives' largest import partner. Singapore Airlines is one of the few airlines that have daily flights to and from Maldives.

"Our close links and friendship were why we, as a fellow small island state, did not just stand by when Maldives was devastated by the tsunami that struck on Boxing Day of 2004," said Nathan.

After the tsunami struck, Singapore has helped Maldives build a water distribution network on Gan Island and an integrated primary and secondary school on Hulhumale Island, as well as train healthcare workers in disaster management and teachers.

During the visit, the Maldivian leader is expected to meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other ministers.

Gayoom will also visit the Malay Heritage Center and attend a business symposium on investment opportunities in Maldives.

Source: Xinhua