AKIPRESS.COM - Singapore is working "very hard" with the Mongolian government to facilitate more convenient travel between both countries to encourage tourists and businesses, Channel NewsAsia reported citing Singapore's non-resident ambassador to Mongolia Yip Wei Kiat as saying.

Speaking at a reception for the Singapore community in Ulaanbaatar, Yip said there has been a steady increase in interest by Singapore companies to explore opportunities in Mongolia.

The reception was part of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's bilateral visit to Mongolia from Wednesday to Saturday – the first official visit by a Singaporean Prime Minister to the country.

Businessmen from both countries, as well as Mongolians who trained and studied in Singapore, attended the event.

There are about 20 Singaporeans registered in Mongolia, working in teaching and property, and while bilateral trade between the countries was modest at about S$64 million in 2015, Lee’s visit is expected to help raise Singapore’s profile in Mongolia as well as awareness of the country among Singaporeans.