SINGAPORE - Singapore Trade Minister George Yeo will visit Malaysia from Tuesday to Saturday to "reaffirm and strengthen" business ties and explore opportunities, the government said today.

Yeo's visit comes amid a heated verbal tussle between the neighbours over a Singapore land reclamation project near their maritime borders, which Kuala Lumpur said could disrupt shipping lanes to Malaysian ports.

"The visit will reaffirm and strengthen ties between business communities of the two countries and to explore business opportunities in trade and investment," a government statement said.

Yeo will visit the Malaysian states of Perak, Kedah and Penang.

In the capital Kuala Lumpur, he will meet with Malaysian Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz and other Malaysian leaders, the statement said. He will meet with the local leaders of Perak, Kedah and Penang.

Yeo will also meet with Malaysian business executives and Singaporean businessmen based in Malaysia, and visit industries to explore potential trade, investment and tourism opportunities, it added.

The minister will be accompanied by senior trade and tourism officials, and a business delegation comprising about 20 companies.