Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said his first official meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina in Singapore has created a good opportunity to strengthen partnership between the two countries.
Singapore-based companies are keen on the growing Bangladeshi market as significant opportunities are laying there in energy and port sectors, he said this while speaking at a luncheon he hosted in honour of Hasina at his official residence Istana on Monday, reports BSS.
Loong said Sembcorp is one of the largest investors in the energy sector with over $1.1 billion investment in power plants and the Singapore Port Authorities (PSA) are interested to explore opportunities in Chittagong Port.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is located in the heart of South Asia and well positioned to interact with ASEAN and it neighbours, he said the Bay of Bengal links to the Southeast Asia, India, and Sri Lanka.
The Singaporean prime minister hoped that the signing of the updated Air Services Agreement between Singapore and Bangladesh would bring the people and businesses of the two countries closer and also help bring bilateral relations to greater heights.
"We should do more together as the government can facilitate collaboration between our companies and investors," he said.
Recalling that Singapore was the first ASEAN country to formally recognize Bangladesh after liberation in 1971, Loong said since then the ties between the leaders, people and businesses of the two countries have been growing steadily.
He said the longstanding friendship is reinforced by rich cultural ties. "Strong people-to-people linkage has formed a key basis for our multifaceted relationship.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at a luncheon hosted by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at his official residence Istana on Monday
Focus BanglaAddressing the luncheon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hoped that Singapore will continue providing a decent work atmosphere for Bangladeshi workers as the country continues to be a favourite destination for them.
Mentioning that the countries belong to different levels of development, she said they can complement each other in the economic pursuit, reports UNB.
She mentioned that Singapore has the capital, advanced technology and know-how while Bangladesh has a huge young and educated workforce. "These comparative advantages may be harnessed to our mutual benefits."
The prime minister, now in Singapore on a four-day official visit, said the chamber bodies of both countries will sign more agreements with their counterparts on Tuesday. "Implementation of these provisions is expected to usher in a new era of economic cooperation between our two countries."
Hasina also said she is happy to see a growing interest and engagement of Singaporean companies in Bangladesh.
Stating that Bangladesh and Singapore share similar viewpoints on many issues of global concern, she said both the countries take mutually supportive positions in international fora, including in the UN.
"Our positions are based on a deeper understanding of, and respect for, each other's values, principles and approaches," she said.
She also congratulated Singapore on the assumption of ASEAN Chair this year and said Bangladesh wishes to forge deeper cooperation with ASEAN during the Singaporean leadership’s tenure.
Hasina said Bangladesh and Singapore have been enjoying friendly ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in February 1972. "Our friendship is rooted in common values and shared history and economic cooperation," she said.
Talking about the meeting that took place in the morning, she said they discussed issues of mutual interests and areas of new cooperation. "I recognize the engaging interest in advancing our bilateral relations," she added.
Two MoUs signed
On Monday, Bangladesh and Singapore also signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for collaboration over Public Private Partnership (PPP) and air services.
The instruments were signed following an official meeting between the prime ministers of the countries at Istana, which is also the offices of the president and the prime minister of Singapore, and in their presence, reports UNB.
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Assistant CEO Tan Soon Kim and CEO of Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) of the Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh Syed Afsor H Uddin signed the first MoU on PPP cooperation.
The second MoU on cooperation and expansion in the areas of air services was signed by Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary SM Ghulam Farooque and Singapore’s Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Loh Ngai Seng.
Red carpet for PM Hasina
Earlier in the morning, a red carpet was rolled out when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached Istana where Singapore Prime Minister Loong received her.
A smartly turned out contingent of Singapore Armed Forces also gave her a guard of honour at the gate of Istana.
After the reception, Hasina paid a courtesy call on Halimah Yacob, the first female Muslim president of Singapore.
A smartly turned out contingent of Singapore Armed Forces give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a guard of honour at the gate of Istana on Monday, March 12, 2018
Focus BanglaLater in the afternoon, after the meetings and the luncheon, the prime minister was scheduled to visit the Port Authority of Singapore and attend the dinner to be hosted by High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Singapore Mustafizur Rahman in the evening.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at a luncheon hosted by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at his official residence Istana on Monday Focus BanglaAddressing the luncheon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hoped that Singapore will continue providing a decent work atmosphere for Bangladeshi workers as the country continues to be a favourite destination for them.
Mentioning that the countries belong to different levels of development, she said they can complement each other in the economic pursuit, reports UNB.
She mentioned that Singapore has the capital, advanced technology and know-how while Bangladesh has a huge young and educated workforce. "These comparative advantages may be harnessed to our mutual benefits."
The prime minister, now in Singapore on a four-day official visit, said the chamber bodies of both countries will sign more agreements with their counterparts on Tuesday. "Implementation of these provisions is expected to usher in a new era of economic cooperation between our two countries."
Hasina also said she is happy to see a growing interest and engagement of Singaporean companies in Bangladesh.
Stating that Bangladesh and Singapore share similar viewpoints on many issues of global concern, she said both the countries take mutually supportive positions in international fora, including in the UN.
"Our positions are based on a deeper understanding of, and respect for, each other's values, principles and approaches," she said.
She also congratulated Singapore on the assumption of ASEAN Chair this year and said Bangladesh wishes to forge deeper cooperation with ASEAN during the Singaporean leadership’s tenure.
Hasina said Bangladesh and Singapore have been enjoying friendly ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in February 1972. "Our friendship is rooted in common values and shared history and economic cooperation," she said.
Talking about the meeting that took place in the morning, she said they discussed issues of mutual interests and areas of new cooperation. "I recognize the engaging interest in advancing our bilateral relations," she added.
A smartly turned out contingent of Singapore Armed Forces give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a guard of honour at the gate of Istana on Monday, March 12, 2018 Focus BanglaLater in the afternoon, after the meetings and the luncheon, the prime minister was scheduled to visit the Port Authority of Singapore and attend the dinner to be hosted by High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Singapore Mustafizur Rahman in the evening.