India, Singapore to sign MoU in culture

New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) Singapore today said it was keen to hammer out a joint marketing strategy to promote tourism with India and Australia on a trilateral basis in the Asia-Pacific region.

This was suggested by Singapore Community Development, Youth&Sports and Arts Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who called on Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni here.

India and Singapore also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the cultural field to increase bilateral cooperation.

During their half-an-hour meeting, Dr Balakrishnan evinced keen interest in the steps taken by the Indian Government to sustain the tourism growth and related issues.

Welcoming the visiting leader, Ms Soni said India is currently witnessing a boom in the tourism sector with five million tourists visiting the country last year.

''There are some challenges such as room shortage, better connectivity and infrastructure in India, but the government is working to create more infrastructure facilities to sustain the boom,'' she said.

Ms Soni said Singapore Airlines has one of the largest networks, which can be utilised to promote tourist circuits in India.

She also informed that she would be participating in the ASEAN Tourism Minister's conference, which is scheduled to take place in Bangkok from January 21.

Dr Balakrishnan thanked to Ms Soni for allowing an exhibition on the relics of Lord Buddha in Singapore and said it was a special gesture by the Indian Government.

UNI SKS PY MSJ RK2015