CANBERRA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Australia's relationship with close neighbor Singapore will be strengthened by an announcement to boost the Asian nation's military training presence in northern Australia.
The 25-year deal, worth up to 1.7 billion dollars to the Australian economy, will result in up to 14,000 Singaporean troops being stationed in Australia for 18 weeks at a time, with new defence barracks to be built in Queensland by Singapore's government.
Trade Minister Steven Ciobo told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Friday the deal would benefit both nations, as Singapore will get adequate space to conduct military training, while the investment in Australian-built infrastructure will aid the local economy.
"I don't think it's a surprise to anybody that a small city-state like Singapore looks throughout the region to where they're able to mobilize forces, to where they're able to build experienced capacity and training," Ciobo said.
"Australia has had a long-term great relationship with Singapore, so it's a logical extension."
"There'll (also) be opportunities obviously in the local community to be big beneficiaries, not only from people staying there and sometimes they'll bring family with them, but also from the money that's going to be spent to improve the bases themselves."
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