Bangladesh Seeks to Boost Technology Cooperation with Singapore
The government has expressed interest in expanding technological cooperation between Bangladesh and Singapore in various sectors, including digital payments, telecommunications, information technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and e-commerce.
Singapore’s non-resident High Commissioner to Dhaka, Derek Loh, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam at the Secretariat yesterday. The two discussed strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and various aspects of mutual cooperation in the technology sector.
During the meeting, the minister said the government is working with priority on digital transformation, effective application of artificial intelligence and the expansion of technology-based public services. He said Singapore’s experience, technical expertise and innovative initiatives could play an important role for Bangladesh in these areas.
He said initiatives are being taken to modernise the country’s extensive post office network and turn it into an effective hub for e-commerce, parcel delivery and integrated logistics services. There is scope to work jointly in this area by drawing on Singapore’s experience, he said.
The minister stressed expanding digital payment systems in government services, ensuring transparency and accountability in revenue collection, and increasing the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare and administrative activities. He also conveyed Bangladesh’s interest in technical cooperation, exchange of experience and joint initiatives with Singapore in these areas.
For his part, Singapore High Commissioner Derek Loh expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Bangladesh in various sectors. He emphasised improving e-commerce, parcel delivery and logistics services by making use of the country’s extensive postal department infrastructure.
He also highlighted Singapore’s experience in increasing revenue collection, bringing transparency to financial management and improving the efficiency of public services by expanding digital payment systems in government services.
The High Commissioner also mentioned the potential for applying artificial intelligence in healthcare, research, biomedical technology and public services. He said that in a changing, technology-driven world, it is essential to prepare the young population for the job market of the future. Singapore is interested in exchanging technological knowledge, experience and skills with Bangladesh in this regard, he said.
At the meeting, both sides expressed the view that there is wide scope for expanding cooperation between the two countries in the digital economy, technological innovation, skilled human resource development and modernisation of public services.
Singapore High Commission Chargé d’Affaires Philip Wong, desk officer Mrithini Tgitritharan and Enterprise Singapore’s South Asia development partner Benjamin Chu were also present on the occasion.
