Pakistan and Singapore agree to deepen trade, investment and education ties

Pakistan and Singapore on Friday stressed the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, education, technology, culture, people-to-people contacts and disaster management, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad on an official visit. He held a restricted meeting and delegation-level talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Dar said the visit was the first by a Singaporean foreign minister to Pakistan in more than two decades. He also said Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise Singapore's independence in 1965. The two countries are marking 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Both sides welcomed the growth in bilateral trade and agreed to encourage closer business-to-business engagement through chambers of commerce and business delegations. Balakrishnan said trade volumes ought to be significantly higher, and named carbon credits and carbon markets as a promising area for joint work. The reopening of the Pakistan Trade and Investment Office at the Pakistan High Commission in Singapore was announced.

The two ministers agreed to hold regular bilateral political consultations and promote high-level exchanges. They discussed cooperation in education, research, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, human resource development, agriculture and climate, as well as links between universities and research institutions. Balakrishnan welcomed deeper cooperation between NTU and NUS with NUST. The sides also discussed cultural, academic and youth exchanges and the possible resumption of direct flights.

Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding on disaster management. Balakrishnan said Singapore would learn from Pakistan's experience of large-scale natural disasters and extreme climate events. Early warning systems, sharing of best practices, search and rescue capabilities and joint training exercises were highlighted.

Dar wished Singapore success for its 2027 ASEAN chairmanship. He expressed concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements and efforts to alter the status of the West Bank and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and reiterated support for an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. He also called for a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions. Balakrishnan commended Pakistan's constructive role in current regional crises, particularly in the Gulf.

In a separate APP report, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to strengthening ties with Singapore. The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in the digital economy, fintech, infrastructure, logistics, SMEs and services.