Singapore and Pakistan discussed trade, investment and disaster management in Islamabad on Oct. 30, as officials pursued closer ties during the year marking six decades of diplomatic relations.
Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan discussed trade, investment, connectivity and skills development. Their talks also covered exchanges among businesses and people.
Channel NewsAsia reported Balakrishnan said trade between the countries “ought to be much higher.”
Dar and Balakrishnan exchanged a memorandum of understanding on disaster-management cooperation involving Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the PID said. The department said the memorandum is intended to improve disaster readiness, emergency response and resilience to natural hazards.
Pakistan and Singapore established diplomatic relations on Aug. 17, 1966, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said, making 2026 the 60th anniversary year. The ministry also said the visit preceded Singapore’s assumption of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship in 2027.
