Written by The Banking Post
Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser, held a series of bilateral meetings with key Singaporean ministers, including Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and State Minister for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash, during his recent visit to Singapore.
At the invitation of Grace Foo, Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Siddiqi also attended a high-level dinner during the Singapore Grand Prix on October 5. He was welcomed at his table by Minister for Manpower, Science and Technology Dr Tan See Leng, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Gan Siow Huang, and Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai.
Siddiqi also exchanged views on Bangladesh’s economic outlook and global trends with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, and State Minister of National Development Alvin Tan.
At the same event, the envoy met with prominent business leaders, including Ray Dalio, Grab CEO Anthony Tan, Antler CEO Magnus Grimeland, GIC CEO Lim Chow Kiat, SGX CEO Loh Boon Chye, Evercore Asia Chairman Keith Magnus, and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce Chairman Anindya Bakrie, among others.
He concluded his visit with bilateral meetings with Enterprise Singapore Chairman Lee Chuan Teck, PSA (Ports) Regional CEO Vincent Ng, and PayPal Regional Lead Amir Valliani, according to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Tuesday.
During the discussions, Siddiqi provided updates on Bangladesh’s economic developments, addressed queries, and explored new areas of cooperation with both public and private sectors. He also expressed appreciation for Singapore’s continued support and engagement.
In a social media post, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Bangladesh, with its young and industrious population, has “immense potential” as it undergoes political and economic transformation through reforms, diversification, and investments in renewable energy, digital innovation, and connectivity. He added, “Singapore looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh as it pursues its next phase of growth and development.”
Siddiqi also gave an interview to Channel News Asia, where he highlighted online disinformation as a persistent risk—especially ahead of elections—and urged collective vigilance.
Additionally, he met with officials at the Bangladesh High Commission and members of the migrant workers’ community to review service delivery. The envoy noted that ePassport biometric appointments are now available within 24 hours, compared to a four-month backlog just a few months ago.
Moreover, the requirement for physical endorsement of work visas (IPAs) at the High Commission has been suspended, easing the process for Bangladeshi workers and employers.
These improvements, Siddiqi said, were achieved in collaboration with Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Expatriates’ Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul.
