HANOI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and strengthening cooperation with Singapore on bilateral basis and in regional and international forums, a Vietnamese top leader said here Sunday.

    State President Nguyen Minh Triet made the remarks when meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the sidelines of the two-day summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which concluded on Sunday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

    Vietnam, a new member of the World Trade Organization, needs to learn development experience from Singapore, especially in such new fields as finance and stock market, Triet said, noting that the two countries have seen smooth cooperation development in investment, education and health.

    Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore is very interested in enhancing trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam, a country with rapid and stable economic growth.

    Lee came to Vietnam to attend the 14th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.¡¡