Singapore can play important role in Bangladesh’s investment process: Speaker

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday said Singapore could play an important role in Bangladesh’s investment process, particularly in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.

He also invited Singaporean companies to explore oil and gas in Bhola and other coastal areas of the country, said a press release.

The speaker was talking to Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh Derek Loh when he paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The speaker described Bangladesh-Singapore relations as warm and friendly, identifying 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 Lee Kuan Yew.

Referring to Bangladesh’s political transition, Hafiz said the July mass uprising of 2024 ended the authoritarian regime and paved the way for the restoration of the country’s democratic journey.

He described the 13th parliamentary election as one of the fairest, most credible and free elections in the country’s history.

The speaker said the country’s economic progress had suffered during the previous 17 years of authoritarian rule.

High Commissioner Derek Loh stressed the need to prioritise technical education in Bangladesh’s educational institutions, saying improvements in the quality and expansion of technical education could help ensure employment 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, parliamentary delegation exchanges, activities of the constitution amendment committee, improvement of educational standards, public examinations and recruitment examinations for government jobs.

Representatives of the Singapore Embassy, secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and other senior officials concerned were present at the meeting.