Diplomatic Desk:
State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh,Shama Obaed Islam, MP, metDr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, today. At the outset, State Minister of Bangladesh met the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Singapore. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the longstanding and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Singapore and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The discussions focused on trade, investment and economic cooperation. The State Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s potential to diversify exports to Singapore beyond RMG, including pharmaceuticals, ceramics, agro-products, and jute and jute products, and invited greater Singaporean investment in logistics, supply chains, renewable energy and research. Both sides expressed hope for the early conclusion of the Bangladesh-Singapore FTA and emphasized stronger business-to-business engagement. She also highlighted Bangladesh’s focus on skills development, TVET and capacity building, and proposed greater employment opportunities for Bangladeshi nurses in Singapore’s elderly care and nursing sectors, including cooperation on relevant training.
The two sides exchanged views on climate change, water security, carbon credits and research cooperation. Her Excellency highlighted Bangladesh’s climate vulnerability and experience in resilience-building and expressed interest in enhanced cooperation, particularly ahead of the next UN Climate Change Conference (COP). They also discussed cybersecurity, digitalization and cooperation in combating mosquito-borne diseases.
Referring to the leadership of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, the State Minister informed that the current Government has adopted a “Bangladesh First” policy and identified the following priorities: stability, peace and democracy, economic diplomacy, employment generation, and good governance. She also highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in reviving SAARC. The Rohingya crisis was also discussed, with the State Minister seeking Singapore’s support for the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar and highlighting its wider security implications. The Singaporean Minister of State
underscored the importance of continued dialogue and engagement and noted Singapore’s humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya.
Immediately thereafter, State Minister met Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore. They discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction with the close and friendly relations between the two countries.
State Minister invited greater Singaporean investment in Bangladesh, particularly in renewable energy, logistics, research and other emerging sectors, and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to a business-friendly and predictable investment environment. Both sides expressed hope for the early conclusion of the Bangladesh-Singapore FTA and emphasized stronger business-to-business engagement. They also exchanged views on energy security, including risks to energy supplies, shipping and global supply chains, as well as climate change, water security and illegal and irregular migration. The State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh stressed the importance of safe, regular and orderly migration.
State Minister again raised the Rohingya crisis and sought Singapore’s support for a sustainable solution and the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar. She also highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in reviving SAARC and becoming a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, and sought Singapore’s support in these endeavours.
In addition to the meeting, State Minister for Foreign Affairs also visited the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) and met Vincent Ng, Regional CEO, Middle East, South Asia, Africa and Türkiye, PSA, and senior officials. She was briefed on PSA’s global operations and the use of automation and advanced technologies to develop efficient, sustainable and smart ports.
Vincent Ng expressed PSA’s interest in participating in the Bay Terminal Project in Bangladesh, noting its potential to significantly enhance Chattogram Port and Bangladesh’s trade and connectivity. The State Minister welcomed PSA’s interest and expressed hope for enhanced cooperation in port development, logistics, technology transfer and capacity building, in line with Bangladesh’s priorities of industrialization, infrastructure development and connectivity.
Later, in the afternoon, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, MPvisited the TuasOne Waste-to-Energy Plant, where she was briefed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Singapore’s integrated approach to waste collection, treatment and energy recovery. Appreciating Singapore’s advanced and sustainable waste management practices, she expressed interest in promoting cooperation between relevant authorities of Bangladesh and Singapore to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities in waste management, waste-to-energy technology and environmental sustainability.
The engagements were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and reaffirmed the shared commitment of Bangladesh and Singapore to further deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
