Bangladesh, Singapore can cooperate in workforce, capital to mutual benefit: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged Singapore to cooperate in the interest of mutual benefit, complementing Singapore’s capital stock with Bangladesh’s large workforce.

“Bangladesh and Singapore belong to different levels of development,” Hasina said during a luncheon with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore on Monday.

“But we can complement each other in our economic pursuit. In Singapore, you have capital, advanced technology and know-how while in Bangladesh, we have a large workforce.”

A large section of this workforce is also young and educated, providing potential competitive advantages, she said.

“Singapore continues to be a favourite destination for Bangladeshi workers,” the prime minister said. “I hope that Singapore will continue to provide them with a decent work atmosphere.”

According to the Bangladesh government over 160,000 Bangladeshis are employed in Singapore.

Hasina also highlighted the friendly diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Singapore, which were first established in February 1972.

“Our friendship is rooted in common values and shared history and economic cooperation,” she said.

She also thanked Singapore for the warm welcome it has extended during the trip and congratulated the country for assuming the role of ASEAN Chair this year.

Hasina is currently on a four-day trip to Singapore at the invitation of her Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong. She is scheduled to return to Dhaka on Mar 14.