Bangladesh, Singapore Explore Tech Cooperation

Bangladesh is looking to draw on Singapore’s experience to expand cooperation in digital payments, telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI), e-commerce and the digital economy. Discussions have focused on expanding digital payments in public services, modernising the postal network and increasing the use of AI in healthcare and public administration.

Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Derek Lok, made a courtesy call on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, November 2.

The meeting covered ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in digital payments, telecommunications, information technology, AI, e-commerce and other areas of the digital economy.

The minister said the Bangladesh government was prioritising digital transformation, the effective application of AI and the expansion of technology-enabled public services. Singapore’s experience, technical expertise and innovation initiatives could be important for Bangladesh in these areas, he added.

He said the government was taking initiatives to modernise the country’s extensive postal network and transform it into an effective hub for e-commerce, parcel delivery and integrated logistics services. There were considerable opportunities for joint work by drawing on Singapore’s experience, he noted.

The minister also emphasised expanding digital payment systems in public services, ensuring transparency and accountability in revenue collection, and increasing the use of AI in healthcare and administrative activities.

He said the effective use of technology could improve the quality of citizen services, increase efficiency in government operations and accelerate economic activities. Bangladesh is interested in technological cooperation, experience-sharing and joint initiatives with Singapore in these areas, he added.

High Commissioner Derek Lok expressed Singapore’s interest in expanding cooperation with Bangladesh across various sectors. He highlighted the potential to use Bangladesh’s extensive postal infrastructure to improve e-commerce, parcel delivery and logistics services.

He also shared Singapore’s experience in introducing and expanding digital payment systems in public services to increase revenue collection, ensure transparency in financial management and improve the efficiency of public services.

Lok highlighted opportunities for the effective application of AI in healthcare, research, biomedical technology and government services. He said it was essential to prepare young people for the future labour market in a rapidly changing, AI-driven world. Singapore is interested in exchanging experience, technological knowledge and skills with Bangladesh to support this effort, he added.

Both sides saw considerable potential for expanding cooperation in the digital economy, technological innovation, skilled human resource development and the modernisation of public services. They noted that practical joint initiatives drawing on the two countries’ experience and technological capabilities could further strengthen bilateral relations.

Also present at the meeting were Philip Ong, Chargé d’Affaires at the Singapore High Commission; desk officer Mrithini TGGRITHARAN; and Benjamin Chue, Development Partner for South Asia at Enterprise Singapore.

//DBTech/SRZU/SME/MIST//