Dhaka:Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has encouraged Singaporean companies to invest in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas in Bangladesh's coastal regions, including Bhola. This appeal was made during a meeting with Derek Loh, the Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore to Bangladesh, at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Speaker emphasized the longstanding warm and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Singapore, highlighting Singapore's role as a significant economic partner for Bangladesh. He noted that Bangladesh's economic progress had been previously hindered by 17 years of authoritarian rule and suggested that Singapore could play a pivotal role in advancing Bangladesh's investment landscape and economic development.
Derek Loh, during the meeting, suggested that Bangladesh should prioritize technical education in its institutions, alongside university education, to better ensure employment opportunities for the country's young workforce. He also mentioned Singapore's economic strengthening through shipbuilding and vessel construction, proposing that Bangladesh could economically benefit by expanding its shipbuilding industry and establishing dry docks.
Furthermore, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad described the 13th parliamentary election as one of the most credible and peaceful in Bangladesh's history. He remarked that the mass uprising in July 2024 ended the authoritarian regime, leading to a renewed democratic journey for the country.
The meeting also included discussions on investment and trade between the two nations, the expansion of the ready-made garment industry, parliamentary visit exchanges, activities of the Constitution Amendment Committee, improvements in education quality, and public and government job recruitment examinations.