Singapore and Australia signed four key agreements yesterday that will boost cooperation in trade, defence, innovation and combating transnational drug crime.
They include an upgraded free trade agreement (FTA) that will make it easier for Singaporean professionals and entrepreneurs to work in Australia and vice versa.
There is also a A$2.25 billion (S$2.35 billion) defence deal that will see both sides jointly develop military training facilities in Australia. The upgraded FTA comes into force next year, and defence cooperation planning starts early next year.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull said in a joint statement that the agreements represent the "most substantial upgrade in the Australia-Singapore relationship in a generation".
SEE TOP OF THE NEWS:
PM highlights importance of S'pore-Australia partnership
