WARSAW - Singapore and Poland may celebrate its 48 years of diplomatic ties this year, but the ties between the nations go back even further.

The Polish-born novelist Joseph Conrad had visited Singapore eight times between 1887 and 1888 and written about Singapore in several of his works, such as Lord Jim.

By doing so, he offered "a window into 19th-century Singapore", and today, a commemorative plaque outside the Fullerton Hotel marks his stay, President Tony Tan Keng Yam said on Monday (May 22) night (Tuesday midnight Singapore time).

He was speaking at an official dinner hosted by his Polish counterpart Andrezj Duda at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw.

Guests dined on sturgeon salad and quail, and were treated to several songs, including Polish composer Frederic Chopin's Etude Op. 10 No. 3.

The Poles have "extended a hand of friendship" several times since, such as when Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew visited as part of a goodwill mission to Eastern Europe in 1966 or when a Polish architect became the chief designer for Singapore's first land use plan in 1971, Dr Tan said.

Both Dr Tan and Mr Duda cited the example of Mr Krystyn Olszweski, who spent 15 years living and working in Singapore.

Mr Olszweski had a vision of "developing a city friendly to people" in it, where "modern technology would be interwoven with nature", Mr Duda said.

"Just like Mr Olszweski managed to combine in his projects all his imagination and attachment to nature, together with Singaporean modernity, Singapore and Poland, too, can be successful in joint efforts in scientific research and economic projects," he said.

Going forward, the Polish president said there is "huge potential lying dormant in the cooperation of the two countries".

The nations share some commonalities, said Dr Tan. Both are located at the heart of their respective regions, are open economies, and have shared interests in entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.

He expressed confidence that the new agreements signed between the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, IE Singapore and the Singapore Business Federation on Monday would further strengthen business ties.

The ratification of the landmark EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, he added, will allow Poland to use Singapore as a platform to engage the Southeast Asia region.

He noted the strengthening links between the countries' research institutions, which go back to 2005 and received a boost with a renewed agreement signed on Monday.

"Singapore now has several acclaimed Polish scientists and researchers based in our institutions," he said, adding that the agreement would further strengthen the research cooperation.

Underpinning these efforts are strong people-to-people ties, he said as he noted how Singapore and Poland are popular destinations for their counterparts' exchange programme.

He cited the example of Mr Lien Boon Hua, who resides in the south-western city of Katowice, and is an assistant conductor at the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.

"These friendships forged between our youths will stand us in good stead for even closer ties between Singapore and Poland in the future," he said.

On Tuesday, Dr Tan will conclude his three-day state visit by meeting the heads of the upper and the lower chambers of Parliament.

He will then leave for a four-day state visit to the Czech Republic.