PM Shehbaz, Singapore FM discuss trade, investment, digital economy cooperation
- Pakistan, Singapore sign MoU on disaster management cooperation
Pakistan and Singapore signed an MoU to enhance disaster management cooperation, marking 60 years of diplomatic ties. They also discussed boosting trade, investment, and regional collaboration.
- Strengthening disaster preparedness and response between NDMA and SCDF.
- Expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, and skills development.
- Pakistan's engagement with ASEAN, ahead of Singapore's 2027 chairmanship.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Singaporean Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology and other sectors as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Balakrishnan called on the prime minister in Islamabad, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening longstanding friendly ties, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Shehbaz expressed admiration for Singapore’s economic transformation and achievements in innovation and development, and underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its partnership with the Southeast Asian country at bilateral and multilateral levels, including through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The two sides discussed enhancing bilateral trade and investment and expanding cooperation in the digital economy, financial technology, infrastructure development, logistics, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the services sector.
They also explored new avenues for mutually beneficial economic cooperation and ways to strengthen people-to-people contacts.
The prime minister and the Singaporean foreign minister exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement at bilateral and multilateral forums.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Balakrishnan, during which they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and skills development.
The two foreign ministers also exchanged a memorandum of understanding on disaster management cooperation between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness and response and build resilience against natural disasters.
Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad on Friday at Dar’s invitation. His visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore and comes ahead of Singapore assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027.