High Commission of the Republic of Singapore

Happy to meet Bangladesh State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj today. Discussed cooperation in capacity building and sharing of best practices. Bangladesh is also interested in learning more about Singapore’s experience in TVET, languages , pedagogy and civic education.

Head of Mission Mitchel Lee attended the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh and Australia DFAT’s “Evolving Global Landscape for Trade & Growth “ talk on 23 April 2026. PRI with Australia’s support produces good research work on Bangladesh’s economy. The talk was a good opportunity to learn more and discuss the impact of global developments such as the impact of the war in the Middle East on Bangladesh’s economy. HOM Mitchel shared Singapore’s long term approach on energy security during the question and answer session.

On 24th April 2026, Head of Mission Mitchel Lee attended the Daily Star newspaper’s 35th Anniversary celebration. It was held at their premises which suffered an arson attack on the evening of 18th December 2025. Journalists were trapped in the building for several hours. An arson attack also occurred on the same evening at Prothom Alo newspaper’s office. The attacks on the two newspapers came shortly after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a political activist who was shot in Dhaka and succumbed to his wounds after being hospitalised in Singapore. The theme of the 35th Anniversary was “unbowed”. A fitting theme as it reflected how both news dailies continued to print the news just a day after their offices were attacked. The anniversary of Daily Star’s founding is a moment for the public to reflect on those events in December last year. It is also timely to reflect on how Bangladesh could build a more cohesive society and how journalism can play a constructive role.

Head of Mission Mitchel Lee gave a talk on Singapore’s experience and role in international law at Bangladesh’s North South University today. He shared Singapore’s role in the creation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the High Seas Treaty or BBNJ Agreement. He also covered Singapore’s contributions to international trade law in the WTO and plurilateral agreements like the Future of Investment and Trade or FIT-P. The faculty and students posed good questions and shared additional good insights. Grateful to the management, faculty members and students of North South University for the opportunity !

Singapore CDA Mitchel Lee paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh State Minister for Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat today. Had a good conversation on our cooperation in the aviation and tourism sectors. Singapore Airlines flies daily from Singapore to Dhaka. Singapore also offers capacity building opportunities in aviation and tourism through the Singapore Cooperation Programme. Cooperation in these two sectors will deepen as Bangladesh’s economy grows.

Singapore Charge d’affaires Mitchel Lee called on State Minister for Labour & Employment; Expatriates’ Welfare & Overseas Employment, Md. Nurul Haque on 8th April. Discussed our bilateral relationship with Bangladesh including cooperation in labour. Many Bangladeshi expatriate workers are working in Singapore in the construction and marine sectors including seafarers. Singapore is happy to host them and they have contributed to Singapore’s physical and economic development. Discussed future prospects of demand for foreign labour to support future infrastructure development projects that Singapore is pursuing. In addition, Haque asked Singapore to consider Bangladeshi workers for other sectors and capacity building support. Lee also shared with Haque the intentions of Singapore company PSA to develop a container terminal in Chittagong- known as the Bay Terminal Project. This can also lead to more opportunities for employment in the marine sector in Bangladesh.

CDA Mitchel Lee and Second Secretary Hew Kok Siang called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Ms Shama Obaed Islam today. Discussed our longstanding relationship with Bangladesh including people to people links, cooperation in the energy, logistics, transport and labour sectors in Bangladesh. Looking forward to deepening trade ties, particularly discussions on a bilateral FTA and PSA’s participation in the Bay Terminal Project in Chittagong, a deep-sea container terminal on the Bay of Bengal. Also discussed other opportunities to strengthen ties such as in capacity building, trade missions and food security.

Singaporean 🇸🇬 brand Fish & Co opened its 2nd branch in Gulshan2, Dhaka yesterday! Singapore High Commission CDA Mitchel Lee & Second Secretary Hew Kok Siang joined the celebration with Chairman of aamra group (and local franchisee) Syed Faruque Ahmed for the launch. The 🐟 & 🍤 was very fresh and tasty!

Along with other members of the Diplomatic Corps, Singapore CDA Mitchel Lee attended a viewing of the art exhibition entitled ‘Alo’ on 18 February2026 at the charred building which was the office of Prothom Alo. Prothom Alo is the most widely read Bengali language newspaper in Bangladesh. The building was torched by arsonists in December 2025. The exhibition was poignant and at the same time uplifting. The exhibit symbolises the resilience and vitality of a nation which lives on despite challenges and attempts to silence voices of truth and reason. The exhibition and the imagery reminds us that we need to constantly work on managing communal tensions before they blow over. Harmony amongst various groups within society cannot be taken for granted. Journalists and publishers should also not work under an environment where they are fearful of losing their lives. The local press can be a source not just for accurate information but to also play a constructive role in shaping shared values of the nation.

Last night, members of the Diplomatic Corps visited the Shaheed Minar monument where leaders & people from all walks of life laid wreaths to pay respects to heroes of Bangladesh’s 🇧🇩 1952 language movement. The movement evolved and led to the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation in 1971. The Bangla language is integral to Bangladesh’s national identity. In Singapore, English is learnt by all and is our working language. In addition, school children learn their mother tongue (Mandarin, Malay or Tamil) to preserve their cultural identity. So there are 4 official languages in Singapore. The shaping of a nation’s identity needs thoughtful and deliberate efforts to build a cohesive society.