PRESIDENTS MEET: President Nathan calling on Maldivian President Gayoom yesterday. -- PHOTO: MICA

Ties between Singapore and the Maldives, a chain of islands in the Indian Ocean, are 'excellent', said President S R Nathan last night.

But plans are afoot to raise them to an even higher level - by building largely on the current areas of cooperation.

They are human resource training, trade, and tackling terrorism and climate change, with training holding a special place in Singapore's heart.

Said Mr Nathan, who arrived here on Tuesday night: 'Singapore strongly believes in teaching a man to fish so that he feeds himself for life, rather than simply handing out fish, which will feed him for only a day.'

Already, more than 750 Maldivians have been to Singapore to gain new knowledge in such fields as tourism and civil aviation. They include top officials like Economic Development and Trade Minister Mohamed Jaleel, and Transportation and Communication Minister Mohamed Saeed, Mr Nathan pointed out.

He identified them in his speech at a state dinner hosted by Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who later announced that his country will be setting up a high commission in Singapore soon.

President Gayoom did not elaborate but noted it will further strengthen the countries' close links. The Maldives now has a trade office in Singapore.

Singapore's imprint on education and people development will be further boosted today when Mr Nathan opens the Ghaazee School.

The $8.6 million project by Singapore has primary and secondary classes which will start next year. Singapore also sponsored the training of its 19 Maldivian teachers.

In trade, the Maldives counts Singapore as its top import partner, buying electronics, food and clothes. Goods traded between them last year were worth about $317 million.

Singapore is also the 'gateway' to the tourist paradise of 1,192 islands, which draws some 600,000 visitors each year.

There is scope for more collaboration, said Mr Nathan, noting that 14 businessmen were travelling with him.

The Maldives, which has attracted about US$100 million (S$146 million) in foreign direct investment from Singapore, is gunning for more to develop its islands and diversify the economy beyond the current staples of tourism and fishing.

Its pitch to the Singapore businessmen has been convincing so far, said the vice-chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Vijay Iyengar.

'There seem to be various opportunities here...such as building an airport and hotels, and leasing land for agriculture and poultry farming,' he said, referring to the development of the new island of Hulhumale.

Terrorism and climate change were two other topics on the table yesterday, when Mr Nathan met Minister of Defence and National Security Ismail Shefeeu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

Singapore, with its multiracial and multireligious society, takes a serious view of the terror threat, said Mr Nathan, condemning last month's bomb blast in Male which injured 12 tourists.

On climate change, Singapore believes it can be combated with more efficient energy use to cut down greenhouse gases and carbon emissions, he noted.

Singapore investors in the Maldives, like Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts and Hotel Properties Limited, already place a premium on environmental conservation, said Mr Nathan.

The President, who leaves for home tomorrow, also praised Mr Gayoom's foresight in marking this threat as far back as 1987.

lynnlee@sph.com.sg