Both countries signed six memoranda of understanding (MOU) and one broad agreement to promote cooperation in areas such as energy, communications, transportation, construction, labour and tourism. They also agree to encourage and facilitate greater cooperation and exchange between the private sector players of both countries.

The signing at the Shangri-La Hotel was witnessed by Qatar's heir apparent, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.

Before the ceremony, both men co-chaired the second meeting of the Qatar-Singapore High-Level Joint Committee, which was established to develop a strategic, bilateral relationship across all sectors.

This is not the first time they have met. Last year, they met in Doha to sign the MOU for the joint committee.

Since then, a fistful of agreements have been signed.

One more MOU that joined the list on Monday was for the establishment of a Qatar Civil Defence Academy, modelled after the one operated by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The SCDF will be the expert consultant for the estimated $234 million (US$161 million) academy, which will be equipped with cutting-edge scenario and computer-aided facilities.

For example, a multi-storey fire and rescue training tower can simulate a spectrum of fires that have broken out at different building types, at the press of a button.

When the academy is ready in 32 months, SCDF officers will also be attached there for three years to transfer knowledge to their Qatari counterparts.

Against a backdrop of growing bilateral trade, which went up to $4.1 billion last year compared to $3.6 billion in 2004, the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce also signed a MOU with its counterpart, the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

This will boost business collaborations through avenues such as the exchange of information on trade and investment expansion between the two states.

Through another MOU, the Qatar Customs and Ports General Authority will recognise seafarer certificates issued by the Maritime Port Authority, enabling them to work onboard Qatar-flagged vessels.

Qatar becomes the 59th country to recognise the MPA-issued competency certificates.

Exchanges in Infocomm Technology will also receive a boost under another MOU signed between the Infocomm Development Authority and the Supreme Council of Information & Communications Technology of Qatar.