During the discussion, both sides focused on expanding collaboration in manpower export and enhancing workforce mobility between Bangladesh and Singapore.
Singapore’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mitchel Lee, met with the State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Md. Nurul Hoque, at the Bangladesh Secretariat today. Photo: Ministry
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Singapore’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mitchel Lee, met with the State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Md. Nurul Hoque, at the Bangladesh Secretariat today. Photo: Ministry
Singapore has expressed a strong interest in recruiting skilled Bangladeshi workers for several upcoming projects, signalling new opportunities for overseas employment and bilateral cooperation.
The prospects were discussed during a meeting between State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque and Singapore’s Chargé d’Affaires Michele Lee at the ministry in Dhaka, read a press release.
During the discussion, both sides focused on expanding collaboration in manpower export and enhancing workforce mobility between Bangladesh and Singapore.
A key highlight was Singapore’s indication of potential hiring of Bangladeshi workers in three major projects, including developments at Changi Airport, Sentosa Island and Paya Lebar Air Base.
The Bangladeshi side proposed expanding the number of Singapore Overseas Testing Centres (OTCs) in Bangladesh from six to at least ten to facilitate recruitment.
It also urged Singapore to consider hiring skilled workers in new sectors such as food and beverage, nursing, caregiving, manufacturing and hotel management.
Officials noted that around 1,35,000 Bangladeshi workers are currently employed in Singapore, contributing significantly to both economies. Bangladesh also proposed deploying graduates from its marine technology institutes to work in Singapore’s ports.
In addition, Singapore expressed interest in increasing flight frequencies on the Dhaka–Singapore route by Singapore Airlines and exploring investment opportunities in passenger information systems at Bangladeshi airports.
Bangladesh has proposed hiring graduates from Bangladesh’s six marine technology institutes for Singapore’s ports and requested an increase in the quota under the “sandbox” project.
In response, Mitchel Lee praised the skill and contribution of Bangladeshi workers and highlighted potential recruitment opportunities in upcoming projects at Changi Airport, Sentosa Island, and Paya Lebar Airbase.
She also expressed interest in doubling Singapore Airlines’ weekly flights on the Dhaka–Singapore route from the current seven.
Additionally, she conveyed interest in investing in passenger data management systems at Bangladeshi airports.
Senior officials from both sides, including Dhanya Lingesh, Second Secretary from the Singapore High Commission, Additional Secretary Mohammad Shaheen and Joint Secretary Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, were present, among others.
The meeting is seen as opening new avenues for skilled workforce export and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
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