Singapore Envoy Meets Fakhrul, Discusses Bilateral Ties

The hour-long meeting, which commenced at around 9:30 AM, was held at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Present at the meeting were BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, party leaders Dr. Enamul Haque Chowdhury and Shama Obaed, along with Mitchel Lee, Charge d' Affaires at the Singapore High Commission in Dhaka, and Rahul Abraham, Desk Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore.

In a briefing to reporters following the meeting, Khasru outlined the key topics discussed. According to Khasru, the Singaporean envoy expressed a preference for an elected government in Bangladesh when making decisions regarding long-term economic activities and investments. "They emphasized that an elected government would provide more stability and clarity, which is crucial for making major economic and investment decisions," Khasru said.

The discussion also touched on the growing demand for skilled workers in Singapore, with the Singaporean envoy specifically highlighting a need for nurses. The delegation from Singapore suggested that Bangladesh could send qualified nurses to meet this demand. Additionally, the two sides explored opportunities for collaboration in training skilled workers within Bangladesh. Singapore is keen to invest in local institutions that would not only enhance Bangladesh's workforce but also potentially serve Singapore’s needs for skilled labor.

Khasru also revealed that Singapore is interested in partnering with Bangladesh to improve the efficiency of its ports, a critical sector for both nations. The envoy also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation in other areas, including healthcare, education, shipbuilding, and the financial sector.

Another key area discussed was the potential for collaboration on renewable energy and waste management projects. Singapore’s expertise in these fields could be instrumental in helping Bangladesh meet its sustainability goals.

On the topic of future engagements, Khasru mentioned that the Singaporean envoy proposed a BNP delegation visit to Singapore to continue the dialogue on strengthening bilateral ties and further explore collaborative opportunities.

Responding to a question about domestic politics, Khasru claimed that the ruling Awami League is attempting to regain political ground through covert methods, including using images of US President-elect Donald Trump to promote their cause. He accused the Awami League of being politically bankrupt and struggling to maintain relevance.

In response to queries about the ongoing arrangements for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s medical treatment abroad, Khasru confirmed that certain logistical details were still being finalized. He assured that once these were completed, Zia would travel overseas for treatment.

The meeting between Fakhrul and the Singaporean envoy is seen as a positive step towards strengthening bilateral ties, with both sides committed to enhancing cooperation in key sectors that would benefit both nations.