Play store
Dhaka: Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikrom, has said Singapore could play an important role in Bangladesh’s investment drive, particularly in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.
He also invited Singaporean companies to explore oil and gas resources in Bhola and other coastal areas of Bangladesh.
The Speaker made the remarks when Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Derek Loh, paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday.
Describing Bangladesh-Singapore relations as warm and friendly, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad identified Singapore as one of Bangladesh’s important economic partners.
He also praised Singapore’s development, saying the country had emerged as one of the world’s prosperous nations under the visionary leadership of its founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.
Referring to Bangladesh’s political transition, the Speaker said the July mass uprising of 2024 had ended the authoritarian regime and paved the way for the restoration of democracy.
He also described the 13th parliamentary election as one of the fairest, most credible and free elections in the country’s history.
Bangladesh’s economic progress had suffered during the previous 17 years of authoritarian rule, he added.
High Commissioner Derek Loh stressed the need to prioritise technical education in Bangladesh’s educational institutions, saying improvements in its quality and wider access could help create employment opportunities for the country’s young workforce.
He said Singapore had strengthened its economy through shipbuilding and the construction of various types of vessels. Bangladesh could also benefit economically by expanding its shipbuilding industry and establishing dry docks, he added.
The two sides exchanged views on bilateral investment and trade, expansion of the readymade garment (RMG) industry, exchanges of parliamentary delegations, the activities of the Constitution Amendment Committee, improvement of educational standards, public examinations and recruitment examinations for government jobs.
Representatives of the Singapore Embassy, the Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and other senior officials concerned were present at the meeting.
