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Dhaka, S'pore to combat terrorism together

FM says talks on FTAsoon

UNB, Dhaka
Bangladesh and Singapore have agreed to cooperate in combating international terrorism and work in close collaboration in the Asia Middle East Dialogue (Amed) to remove misgivings in the West linking religion with terrorism.
Briefing newsmen yesterday on the outcome of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s visit to Singapore, Foreign Minister Morshed Khan said although there has not been any terrorist act like,9/11 in America or the train bombing in Spain, "there is no room for us to be complacent. We must work together against this global problem".
He said the eight-member Amed, comprising Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain and Kuwait, will hold its third meeting to evolve mechanism of combating terrorism and removing the misgivings about Islam.
Khan said Indonesia and Saudi Arabia will join the group shortly.
In reply to a question, the foreign minister said alongside the successful 'Look East' policy, the government has very good relations with the West.
"Look East does not mean look blind to the West or in lieu of America or Europe," he told reporters. "They are our development partners; they sometimes express their concerns, as they are more interested in us. They will remain with us," he told a questioner who asked about the government's relations with Europe and America.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh and Singapore will soon open discussion on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and sign maritime and shipping deal to boost bilateral trade and investment.
During the prime minister's, he said, three business deals were signed by private entrepreneurs on export of potato, knitwear and gasohol, an alternative to gasoline, from Bangladesh.
He said six million Singaporean
dollars will soon be invested in Bangladesh for production of gasohol by converting molassesa byproduct of sugar. Besides, knitwear export worth one million Singaporean dollars will be made in next couple of months to Singapore.
Singapore has already invested around $ 700 million in different projects in Bangladesh.
Describing the official talks between Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on March 21 as very productive, he said Singapore will encourage private entrepreneurs to invest more in various sectors, particularly in ICT, shipping and transport.
He said the two sides agreed to simplify visa procedures for Bangladeshi nationals.
On Dhaka's proposal for a more liberal process of recruitment of manpower from Bangladesh, Prime Minister Lee said Singapore has already introduced specialised visa regime for different professional groups, which will facilitate qualified Bangladeshi professionals to avail job opportunities.
At present over 45,000 Bangladeshis are employed in different sectors in Singapore, a newly industrialized Southeast Asian country.
Foreign Affairs Advisor Reaz Rahman and Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin were present at the press briefing.