Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin called on Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, today. Photo : MoFA

DHAKA, April 15, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh has sought Singapore's support in strengthening its health sector through capacity building, expertise sharing, and infrastructure development to meet the rising demand for quality healthcare services.

The urge was made when Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin called on Singapore foreign minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday in Singapore following the Foreign Secretary-level bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and Singapore, said a foreign ministry's press release this morning.

During the meeting, the foreign secretary invited more Singaporean investment in priority sectors like energy, ICT, telecommunications, port and airport infrastructure, urban development, and agro-processing.

Jashim also underlined the importance of concluding an FTA with Singapore, under negotiation, to boost bilateral trade.

He commended Singapore's leadership for championing economic development, good governance and free market economy standing as an example for the Asian countries, including Bangladesh.

He also appreciated Singapore for its excellent migrant workers' regime and thanked the Singapore government for taking care of Bangladesh's expatriates who are contributing to both economies.
 
Noting the growing bilateral trade, Ambassador Jashim Uddin highlighted the import potential of Bangladeshi products particularly pharmaceuticals, leather goods, RMG, ceramics, bicycles, home textiles, and footwear in the Singapore market and beyond.

The Singaporean Foreign Minister expressed his satisfaction at the successful holding of the bilateral consultations between the two countries.
 
Balakrishnan heard updates in detail on the Rohingya crisis from the Foreign Secretary and reiterated Singapore's support to Bangladesh on this issue.

Regarding Bangladesh's bid for ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner status; he reaffirmed Singapore's support to Bangladesh saying that two friendly countries would continue to support each other on the regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister and hoped that Singapore would play its role within the ASEAN platform to build consensus on this matter as a close friend of Bangladesh.

Jashim Uddin emphasized the importance of regular political-level engagements and high-level exchanges, including a visit by the Foreign Minister to Bangladesh, to further deepen the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries.