Bangladesh, Singapore pledge joint cooperation on police reform, cyber security

Bangladesh and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in police reform, cyber security, counterterrorism and investment expansion.

The commitment came during a meeting between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner Derek Loh at the Secretariat on Monday, said a press release of the ministry.

The meeting focused on law enforcement cooperation, professional training and capacity building of Bangladesh Police, cybercrime prevention, countering transnational extremism, real-time information sharing, trade and investment expansion, and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Salahuddin described Bangladesh-Singapore relations as “close and multidimensional,” saying the partnership is built on mutual trust, friendship and shared interests at both regional and international levels.

High Commissioner Derek Loh said Singapore is ready to provide technological and training support to enhance the professional capabilities of Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies.

He proposed sending a delegation of senior Bangladeshi police officers to Singapore for specialised training and experience-sharing programmes.

Loh also highlighted “Singapore Cooperation Programme,” under which around 300 seminars, workshops and specialised training sessions are organised annually for developing countries, noting that Bangladesh could benefit from the initiative.

Welcoming Singapore’s support, the minister sought policy-level cooperation in Bangladesh’s ongoing police reform efforts.

He stressed the need for stronger bilateral collaboration to combat growing cyber threats, including online scams, phishing and other digital crimes, through regular exchange of technology and expertise.

Both sides also emphasised the importance of real-time information sharing to counter transnational terrorism and extremism.

On legal cooperation, the minister said Bangladesh had sent a proposal to Singapore on 22 February 2024, regarding a Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters agreement, expressing hope that the deal could be signed soon after Singapore’s final approval.

The Singapore envoy praised Bangladesh’s emerging economic potential and expressed interest in expanding Singaporean investment in sectors including healthcare, education, power, housing and traffic management infrastructure.

Salahuddin Ahmed invited Singaporean public and private investors to take advantage of Bangladesh’s business-friendly and investment-oriented policies and become stronger partners in the country’s economic growth.