Bangladesh seeks enhanced cooperation from Singapore in strengthening its health sector

Bangladesh has sought Singapore's cooperation in enhancing its health sector through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and infrastructure development to meet the increasing demand for quality healthcare services. This appeal was made during a meeting between Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary, Md Jashim Uddin, and Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, in Singapore on Monday, following the Foreign Secretary-level bilateral consultations between the two countries, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the meeting, the Foreign Secretary encouraged greater Singaporean investment in key sectors such as energy, ICT, telecommunications, port and airport infrastructure, urban development, and agro-processing. He also emphasized the importance of finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore to further enhance bilateral trade relations. Commending Singapore's exemplary leadership in economic progress, governance, and a free-market economy, he noted its model role for Asian nations including Bangladesh.

Jashim Uddin expressed appreciation for Singapore’s migrant worker policies and thanked its government for the care extended to Bangladeshi expatriates contributing significantly to both economies. Highlighting the expanding trade ties, he pointed out the export potential of Bangladeshi products such as pharmaceuticals, leather goods, ready-made garments, ceramics, bicycles, home textiles, and footwear in the Singaporean and broader markets.

Dr. Balakrishnan welcomed the positive outcomes of the bilateral consultations and reiterated Singapore’s continued support to Bangladesh, particularly concerning the Rohingya crisis. On Bangladesh’s interest in attaining ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner status, he reaffirmed Singapore’s backing and underscored the mutual commitment of both countries to support each other on regional and global issues of shared concern.

Concluding the meeting, the Foreign Secretary underscored the need for regular political-level interactions and high-level visits, including an official visit by the Singaporean Foreign Minister to Bangladesh, to further strengthen the bilateral relations