He made the observations when he made a courtesy call on President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban yesterday afternoon.

Goh Chok Tong assured cooperation of the Singapore government in this regard, saying that the two countries can cooperate in developing the ICT sector.

Tong said there is "ample scope" for Bangladesh to increase trade and economic cooperation with the Asean countries, including Singapore.

Referring to his talks with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and agreement on different issues, he said, the efforts would help widen the bilateral relations and economic cooperation for common benefit.

Welcoming Tong to Bangladesh, Iajuddin said that his visit would be a "landmark event" in the bilateral relations since he is the first prime minister of Singapore to visit Bangladesh.

In this context, he recalled the visit of late President Ziaur Rahman to Singapore in 1978, which he said laid strong foundations for bilateral ties.

The president, referring to the Bangladeshi teachers, researchers and scholars working in Singapore, said that a linkage programme of university teachers would benefit both the countries.

He said trainers and experts, particularly ICT experts, could help Bangladesh in developing the growing sectors of the country.

In this context, he mentioned overall educational development, particularly of female education which has been made free in addition to providing scholarships up to twelfth class.

"Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is very keen to develop primary and higher secondary-level education for women so that they can contribute much to the country's socio-economic development," Iajuddin told Tong.

He also cited the micro-credit system now being widely practiced in Bangladesh to help the poorer sections of people to stand on their own feet.

The president appreciated the success of Singapore in socio-economic development and hoped that the two countries would cooperate and share their experiences for their overall development.

Tong thanked Iajuddin for receiving him and the members of his delegation.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, Advisor for Foreign Affairs Reaz Rahman, and Minister in the Singapore Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Lee Yock Suan, Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Manpower Dr NG Eng Hen and high officials were present.