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Dhaka, S'pore foreign office consultation today

Staff Correspondent
The first-ever annual foreign office consultation between Bangladesh and Singapore begins today at the city state with an aim to enhance bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation in potential sectors.
Foreign Secretary Hemayetu-ddin yesterday left for Singapore to lead the Bangladesh side at the talks. The consultation is considered an important event following Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's return visit to Singapore on March 20-22.
Earlier on June 21-24 last year, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Bangladesh. The two countries signed Investment Guarantee Agreement and decided on MFA-to-MFA consultations during Loong's visit.
Bangladesh seeks Singaporean investment, particularly relocation of their sunset industries. Two-way trade is insignificant as the balance of trade is in favour of Singapore.
Ahead of his Singapore visit, Hemayetuddin had told reporters Dhaka would try to persuade the Singapore government to buy more products from Bangladesh.
Singapore imported fresh vegetables and fruits worth about $10 million in the 2004-05 fiscal year.
"We will approach them to buy more goods from Bangladesh. Though there is a bright prospect in this regard, we can't compete with the neighbours of Singapore because of airfare," Hemayetuddin said.
"We will ask them to reduce the airfare so that Bangladeshi businesspersons can export more items," he added.
At the consultation, Bangladesh side will emphasise export of skilled and semi-skilled human resources and signing of a trade agreement. Besides, Bangladesh will also seek more Singaporean investment.
The foreign secretary said Bangladesh would seek technical cooperation in different sectors, scholarships for Bangladeshi students, cooperation in horticulture, training to Bangladesh port officials by Singapore Port Training Authority and visa liberalisation for Bangladeshis.
Foreign ministry officials said a common outlook and shared interests have led to broader and deeper ties between Bangladesh and Singapore.
"Our relations with Singapore is positive and friendly. Leaders of both the countries had made several visits in recent years, showing a positive indication towards working together for each other's benefits," said a senior official of the foreign ministry.
Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman visited Singapore in May last year to attend the Bangladesh Investors' Conference jointly organised by the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation and Bangladesh's Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.