Abbott on two-day trip to Singapore

PM Tony Abbott is leading a high-powered delegation to Singapore on a two-day visit that will focus on attracting investment to Australia's north.

Tony Abbott will spend two days in Singapore, strengthening economic, defence and security ties. (AAP) Source: AAP

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will spend two days in Singapore, strengthening economic, defence and security ties.

Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and senior business leaders will join Mr Abbott in the city-state from Sunday to promote Australia as "open for business".

They have invited Singapore's leading investors to a roundtable on investment opportunities in Australia's north, following on from the government's Northern Australia white paper.

Singapore is Australia's sixth-largest source of foreign direct investment and fifth-largest trading partner, with total trade of $30 billion.

"In its 50 years as a nation, Singapore has become a dynamic economic and security partner for Australia," the prime minister said in a statement.

Mr Abbott will meet Singapore's President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and will join Mr Lee at an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the island's independence.

The visit concludes on Monday afternoon with Mr Abbott delivering the prestigious 35th Singapore Lecture, entitled "Our Common Challenges: Strengthening Security in the Region".