Dhaka //

Derek Low, the non-resident high commissioner of Singapore in Dhaka, met with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The hour-long meeting was held at the political office of the BNP Chairperson in Gulshan on Sunday. A long discussion was held on issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

They said that the elected government can play a helpful role in taking decisions on various issues including economic activities between the two countries. It is not possible to move forward economic activities without the elected government.

Present at the meeting were BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Enamul Haque Chowdhury, International Relations Committee member Shama Obaid. High Commission’s Charge d’affaires Mitchell Low, Singapore Foreign Ministry desk officer Rahul Abraham.

After the meeting, Amir Khosru said, “We discussed how we can send skilled labor there (to Singapore). For example, Singapore needs a lot of nurses, they are keen to hire skilled workers in other fields. Singapore wants to invest through various institutions to make our labor force more skilled, and wants to provide technical assistance.”

He said, “Singapore is very skilled in port management. They have expressed interest in cooperating to make our country’s ports more effective. Singapore also wants to cooperate in health, education, and the shipbuilding industry. They have also said they will work in the energy and financial sectors.”

Meanwhile, in response to a question from journalists, Amir Khosru Mahdud Chowdhury said that the victory of the newly elected US President Donald Trump is also affecting the Awami League’s efforts to return.

Questioning the activities of the Awami League, he said, “Why does the Awami League have to come in the guise of Trump? Why did they reach this state as a political force? We are saying again that they are now bankrupt and trying to come to different corners. They (Awami League) have to come back in their own form. But they do not have that courage. They have lost that courage. In fact, their existence has disappeared, this is their political weakness. This is the proof that they have been destroyed politically.