SINGAPORE : American businesses on Friday stressed their continued commitment to Singapore.

The declaration came as the US-ASEAN Business Council wrapped up its two-day Senior Executives Business Mission to Singapore.

The business delegation comprised 13 major US companies such as Boeing, ConocoPhilips, General Electric and HP.

During the mission, the 25-member delegation met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

They also visited the Defence, National Development, Trade and Industry, and Transport ministries and met industry captains.

In a statement, the Council said its primary discussion topics with Singapore policy makers included US-Singapore bilateral relations, new business and cooperative opportunities that Singapore offers.

The Council also commended Singapore for its leadership in advancing the ASEAN integration efforts.

The US-ASEAN Business Council and affiliates are set up to strengthen bilateral and US-ASEAN relations, and to build strong economic and commercial ties.

Mission Co-Leader Robert Bauerlein, who chairs the US-Singapore Business Council of the US-ASEAN Business Council, said council members look forward to entering the fourth year of implementing the Singapore-US Free Trade Agreement, and to continuing the partnerships developed with Singapore.

Mr Bauerlain is also the Vice-President of International Operations of the Boeing Company.

The Council's President, Matthew Daley, who is the other co-leader of the delegation, said: "The American business community has a strong interest in expanding its robust relationship with Singapore."

US exports to Singapore in 2006 reached US$24.7 billion and imports to the US from Singapore hit US$17.8 billion.

During the first three years of the US-Singapore FTA, which came into effect on 1 January 2004, two-way trade has increased 34 percent and US exports by nearly 49 percent.

Singapore is the second largest recipient of US Foreign Direct Investment (US$48.1 billion) in Asia after Japan (US$75.5 billion), and fourteenth largest recipient worldwide. - CNA/ch