United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh suffered defeat by 1-2 against upper ranked Singapore in their 2nd   Group C match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers at the freshly renovated floodlight National Stadium in Dhaka Tuesday evening. This is the 2nd consecutive defeat for Bangladesh national team against Singapore in the International football since their first meeting in 1973. Bangladesh suffered defeat by 1-2 against Singapore in the FIFA International Friendly in Dhaka on May 30 in 2015 after playing 1-1 draw in the first meeting in the Merdeka Cup International Football Tournament in Malaysia in August 2, 1973. In the day's another Group C match, hosts Kong Kong beat India by 1-0 at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. After the day's feat, Singapore topped the Group C list with unbeaten run securing four points from two matches while Hong Kong followed the leader also with four points from two matches. Bangladesh and India are in the 3rd and 4th slot with one point each from two encounters In the day's crucial match at the packed stadium , midfielder Song Ui Young put Singapore ahead in the 45th minute of the match by a cool volley  shot from goalmouth melee (1-0). Forward Khsan Fandi Ahmad doubled the Singapore margin in the 58th minute by a rebounder from a narrow angle (2-0). Forward Rakib Hossain pulled the Bangladesh margin one back in the in the 67th minute by a straight placing shot from danger zone, utilising a clever pass from Hamza Dewan Choudhury (2-1). After reducing the margin, Bangladesh created strong pressure over Singapore one after another but failed to take its fruit . Ban vs Singapore: Shamit's debut, Jamal on the bench Earlier in the 28th minute, Bangladesh forward Rakib Hossain came close to score, but he failed to connect ball, off a ready made pass of Shamit Shome. Bangladesh spoiled last chance just seconds before the final whistle when a good header of defender Tariq Kazi went outside kissing the cross bar . The spanish head coach of Bangladesh Javier Cabrera fielded five Bangladesh origin overseas booters---English Premier League playing defensive midfielder Hamza Dewan Choudhury, Canadian national team playing midfielder  Shamit Shome ,Italian league playing forward Fahamedul Islam,  defender Tariq Raihan Kazi of Finland and defender Syed Quazem Shah Kirmanee  of Canada --- in the day's vital match. However, Bangladesh captain cum long serving midfielder Jamal Bhuyan of Denmark not included in the day's best eleven. All the tickets of the day's vital match were sold out online earlier and the football  crazy fans gathered at the Dhaka National Stadium with good number and long que from Tuesday noon, finally frustrated with Bangladesh defeat. Bangladesh entered the day's match with high morale   than the previous occasions with the inclusion of two Bangladesh origin highly rated booters--English Premier League playing defensive midfielder Hamza Dewan Chowdhury, Canadian national team league playing midfielder Shamit Shome and Italian league playing forward Fahamedul Islam. Moreover, confident level of Bangladesh team was also high today (Tuesday)b after beating Bhutan by 2-0 goals in the FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly at home last week. Bangladesh will play Hong Kong in their next group match on October 9. Bangladesh’s starting eleven: Mitul Marma, Shakil Ahad Topu, Topu Barman, Saad Uddin, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Mohammad Hridoy,  Hamza Chowdhury, Shamit Shome,  Quazem Shah Kirmanee , Fahamedul Islam and Rakib Hossain.

Highlighting Singapore as a key source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has invited more investment in priority sectors like energy, ICT, telecommunications, port and airport infrastructure, urban development and agro-processing. The Foreign Secretary particularly drew the attention of Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and stressed on cooperation in the health sector in terms of capacity building, sharing of expertise and development of health infrastructure in Bangladesh catering to the growing demand for quality health services. Bangladesh, Türkiye eye stronger ties through enhanced collaboration Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin met Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday in Singapore, following the Foreign-Secretary level bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and Singapore. The Foreign Secretary informed him that both sides had very productive discussions on a number of important issues during the consultations. Dhaka signs OIC Statute for promoting labour rights He praised Singapore’s leadership for championing economic development, good governance and free market economy, standing as an example for the Asian countries, including Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary also appreciated Singapore for its excellent migrant workers’ regime and thanked the Singapore government for taking care of Bangladesh’s expatriates who are contributing to both the economies. Noting the growing bilateral trade, Jashim Uddin highlighted the import-potential of Bangladeshi products particularly pharmaceuticals, leather goods, RMG, ceramics, bicycles, home textile and footwear in the Singapore market and beyond. He underlined the importance of concluding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore, under negotiation, to boost bilateral trade. Foreign Minister Balakrishnan heard updates in detail on the Rohingya crisis from Foreign Secretary and reiterated Singapore’s support to Bangladesh on this issue, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In regard to Bangladesh’s bid for Asean sectoral dialogue partner status, he reaffirmed Singapore’s support to Bangladesh saying that two friendly countries would continue to support each other on the regional and global issues of mutual interest. Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin thanked the Foreign Minister and hoped that Singapore would play its role within the Asean platform to build consensus on this matter as a close friend of Bangladesh. Bangladesh, Singapore to finalise FTA by 2026 The Foreign Secretary underlined the significance of regular interactions at the political level and exchange of high-level visits including Foreign Minister’s visit to Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral ties between two friendly countries.

Bangladesh on Tuesday sought the cooperation of Singapore in repatriating fugitives who have fled the country and taken refuge in the island state. The request was made by Home Affairs Adviser Lt General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury during a courtesy meeting with Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador Derek Loh at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the afternoon. During the meeting, the Adviser praised Singapore for its corruption-free governance and exceptional development model, suggesting that Bangladesh could follow Singapore’s example to build a more transparent and efficient system. “Singapore is a developed and corruption-free country, equipped with all modern facilities. Over the past few decades, they have made remarkable progress in infrastructure and information technology,” said Chowdhury. “It has become a major destination for global tourists due to its efficient services and integrity. Singapore is a role model in delivering public services without corruption. We should adopt their model to make Bangladesh corruption-free,” he added. A wide range of bilateral issues were discussed in the meeting, including law enforcement cooperation, public safety, manpower export, fire incident investigations, repatriation of fugitives, prevention of human trafficking, protection of human rights, and technical assistance related to the implementation of Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. DR Yunus to hold breakfast meetings with Chinese, Korean investors to fast-track investment Welcoming Ambassador Loh, the Adviser described Singapore as one of Bangladesh’s closest allies and acknowledged the significant contributions of Bangladeshi workers in Singapore’s development. He called for an increased intake of Bangladeshi manpower by Singapore. In response, the Ambassador noted that Bangladeshis constitute around 5 percent of Singapore’s population and agreed that stronger people-to-people engagement is essential to further deepen the mutual trust and friendship between the two nations. The Adviser also highlighted the efficiency of Bangladeshi firefighters but noted that the country still lacks adequate capacity when it comes to investigating large-scale fire incidents. He requested technical support from Singapore in this area, to which Ambassador Loh responded that he would initiate discussions with Singapore’s Civil Defence Department. Addressing the issue of fugitives, the Adviser stated, “Several criminals from Bangladesh have sought refuge in Singapore. We need Singapore’s assistance in bringing them back to face justice.” He also proposed the signing of a mutual legal assistance agreement between the two countries. Ambassador Loh recommended that Bangladesh formally send a letter through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the matter. Rohingya repatriation hinges on Arakan stability: Khalilur Rahman The meeting was attended by Mitchell Lee, Chargé d'Affaires of the Singapore High Commission in Dhaka, and Rahul Isaac, Country Officer at the Directorate for South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa under Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with senior officials from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

Bangladesh and Singapore on Friday discussed ways in which the two countries could work together to further improve the end-to-end journey of prospective workers, help reduce costs and enhance transparency. Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi made a courtesy call on Singapore Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng at the latter’s office in Singapore and discussed the issues. Siddiqi expressed gratitude for the professional approach to care that Singapore took towards migrant workers, as exemplified in the provision of healthcare. Dr Tan in turn expressed appreciation for migrant workers, including Bangladeshis in the construction sector, for their significant contributions to Singapore. Siddiqi updated Dr Tan, who is also Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry, on the progress in the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries. He expressed the hope that this would lead to a wider set of skills and sectors in which Bangladeshi talent can contribute. Earlier, Special Envoy Siddiqi inaugurated a new online attestation service for IPAs at the Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore. Pakistan eager to hold foreign secretary level talks with Bangladesh to boost ties IPAs, or In-Principle Approvals, are preliminary work permits issued by the Singapore government. As part of the recruitment process, Bangladesh requires that IPAs be seen and approved by a competent officer at the Bangladesh mission. Prospective employers and their agents have long complained about the administrative burden of physically visiting the Bangladesh mission for this part of the process. With the introduction of the new online solution, this process can be completed entirely online. Siddiqi, in a meeting with some representatives of Bangladeshi workers in Singapore, committed to addressing their grievances, said the Chief Adviser's press wing. Subsequently, an inter-ministerial group, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore, ensured that the online solution, which was stalled for a few years, was delivered within a few weeks. “Both the Chief Advisor Professor Yunus and Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul have identified the welfare of migrant workers as a key priority of this government,” said Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi. “We are working to improve the airport experience and passport service, monitor airfares, and generally act more responsively to their concerns. While there is a lot more work that needs to be done, it is encouraging to see some positive results,” he said.

Bangladesh has sought stronger trade and investment ties with Singapore noting that Bangladesh is likely to recover faster than other countries from the impact of coronavirus pandemic.