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Singapore is keen to deepen its partnership with Bangladesh in port management, logistics, aviation, the digital economy and capacity-building, Singapore’s Chargé d’Affaires in Dhaka Mitchel Lee has said.
“Singapore remains optimistic about Bangladesh’s long-term potential and seeks to partner with Bangladesh in areas such as port management, logistics, the aviation sector, the digital economy and capacity-building,” Lee said while addressing a reception marking Singapore’s 61st National Day at a city hotel on Monday.
He said bilateral trade and investment had already reached a significant level, although there remained considerable scope for further expansion.
“In 2025, our trade in goods totalled 3.9 billion Singapore dollars, or US$3 billion. Cumulative FDI into Bangladesh is also around 3 billion Singapore dollars, or approximately US$2 billion. This is not insignificant, and there is more scope to grow,” he said.
Lee also highlighted the importance of the memorandum of understanding on trade and investment signed by Singapore and Bangladesh in November 2022.
“The MOU provided a framework for closer economic cooperation, including the setting up of a Joint Working Group, which would work towards an eventual free trade agreement between both sides,” he said.
Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam attended the reception as the chief guest.
Politicians, senior civil and military officials, business leaders, journalists and diplomats were also present.
Reflecting on Singapore’s development and its relations with Bangladesh, Lee said Singapore was celebrating its 61st year of independence as well as the 60th anniversary of the launch of the Singapore Pledge.
The pledge, recited at Singapore’s annual National Day Parade and in schools and government offices, calls on citizens to remain “one united people, regardless of race, language and religion” and to build a democratic society based on justice and equality.
Lee said the pledge’s core values—including multiculturalism, democracy, justice and equality—remained relevant in an increasingly turbulent global environment.
“We also believe that these values are applicable in Bangladesh as it strives towards a better future,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Bangladesh and other international partners for supporting Singapore throughout its development.
“Our relationship with Bangladesh is longstanding. Diplomatic relations between both sides were established in February 1972,” he said.
Lee said Bangladeshi migrant workers had traditionally been an important part of bilateral relations, particularly those employed in Singapore’s construction and marine services sectors.
Although the number of Bangladeshi workers in Singapore is relatively small compared with other destination countries, he said Singapore remained an important source of remittances for Bangladesh.
“According to Bangladesh Bank’s figures, Singapore is the 10th contributing country in terms of remittances sent back to Bangladesh,” he said.
Lee stressed that bilateral relations extended well beyond trade and investment.
“Over the past two years, we have also tried to introduce Singapore to Bangladesh and learn more about Bangladesh ourselves,” he said.
He cited a range of initiatives, including talks at universities, Singapore’s first Visa and Consular Networking Session, cooking workshops at the National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute and film screenings.
The Singapore mission also organised its first Singapore-Bangladesh Art Exhibition, featuring artists from both countries, at Alliance Française de Dhaka.
“ In fact, you can see the works by the young Bangladeshi artists displayed just behind you,” Lee told guests.
He said Singapore had also sought to share its experience in good governance and strengthen people-to-people ties through the Singapore Cooperation Programme.
The initiatives included bringing together former participants at a Singapore Cooperation Programme Alumni Dinner and donating a collection of Singaporean books to the Bangladesh National Library.
Lee also introduced his successor, Philip Ong, who was present at the reception.
“Going forward, my successor, Philip Ong, who is here today, will work closely with all of you to take our bilateral relationship to greater heights,” he said.
In a lighter remark, Lee said he had told Ong that he would have to think of something new to keep guests entertained at next year’s reception.
Concluding his remarks, Lee thanked guests for their friendship and support during his tenure in Dhaka.
“I got to know many of you not just professionally but as good friends,” he said, adding that he hoped to remain in contact after moving from the Bay of Bengal to another Bay area across the Pacific Ocean.
