Singapore, March 21, SPA -- Bangladesh's Prime Minister Khaleda Ziabegan a three-day visit to Singapore on Monday to push forincreased trade with the wealthy city-state. Zia met her counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and they"recognized the common challenges that both countriesface," a Singapore government statement said. "Singapore and Bangladesh can work together to promoteeconomic growth through free trade and investment," thestatement said, without elaborating. Singapore is Bangladesh's second-largest trading partnerin southern Asia. Its companies have invested a total ofnearly US$700 million (¤525 million), according to officialfigures from Bangladesh. Zia also met Singapore President S.R. Nathan Monday, andis scheduled to meet Singapore's founding father Lee KuanYew later. She will deliver a lecture to businessmen,diplomats and government officials Tuesday. Zia's entourage includes Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan,as well as a 14-member business delegation. Bangladesh imports about US$1 billion (¤750 million) worthof goods from Singapore annually, while exporting US$200million (¤150 million) to the city-state each year. Zia leaves for home on Wednesday.--SPA1426 Local Time 1126 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/248422