SINGAPORE, March 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visiting India Finance Minister P. Chidambaram agreed on Monday that it is important for the two countries to conclude the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) soon.

    According to Lee's press secretary, Lee expressed the hope during his meeting with Chidambaram that the relations between India and Southeast Asia would be strengthened as India's engagement is important to the region.

    Chidambaram, who arrived in the island state on Monday for a two-day working visit, affirmed that India will stick to its liberalization program and encouraged Singapore companies to invest in India.

    Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang said that the two countries are progressing well in their talks on the CECA, yet no time frame has been set for its conclusion, accordingto Channel NewsAsia report.

    How to promote the participation of Singapore's financial institutions and investors in India's economic development is the key concern of the Singapore government, Lim noted. Enditem