Singapore`s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has said his country looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh as it pursues its next phase of growth and development.

"With a young and hardworking population, Bangladesh has immense potential," he said, as he met Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Lutfey Siddiqi.

The Minister said Bangladesh is undergoing a new phase of political and economic transformation and is implementing reforms, diversifying its economy, and seeking investments in renewable energy, digital innovation and connectivity.

He described his meeting with the Special Envoy as "productive".

"We spoke about the significant contributions of the Bangladeshi community in Singapore, and explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and port management," said the Singapore Minister.

Lutfey Siddiqi also held bilateral talks with Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and State Minister (Manpower) Dinesh Vasu Dash at their respective offices.

At the invitation of Grace Foo, Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Siddiqi also joined a high-level dinner at the Singapore Grand Prix on October 5. Apart from Minister Foo, Siddiqi was greeted at his table by Minister for Manpower, Science and Technology Dr. Tan See Leng, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Gan Siow Huang; and Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai.