President Tony Tan Keng Yam was called on by visiting South Africa Deputy President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa on Wednesday (Oct 5), with the two dignitaries reffirming the warm and broad-based relationship between the two countries at their meeting.

Dr Tan and Mr Ramaphosa touched upon the relationship in the areas of defence, trade and aviation, in particular, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) press statement.

Mr Ramaphosa was also hosted to lunch by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Wednesday. Over their meal, DPM Tharman and Mr Ramaphosa discussed ways to strengthen bilateral engagements between Singapore and South Africa in a number of areas, particularly economic cooperation with a view to boost bilateral trade and investment.

Mr Tharman and Deputy President Ramaphosa also exchanged views on regional developments and the global economy.

Mr Ramaphosa is in Singapore at the invitation of Mr Tharman. As part of his official programme, he will receive briefings on Singapore's housing and economic policies, as well as Singapore's experience in port management.

Mr Ramaphosa is also scheduled to deliver a speech entitled, "South Africa: Into The Next Ten Years," at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on Friday (Oct 7). He departs Singapore on the same day, according to the MFA press statement.