Pakistan and Singapore agree to deepen trade, investment and disaster management cooperation
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Singapore have agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, digital technology and disaster management during a visit by Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
Balakrishnan visited Pakistan on October 30 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The talks covered bilateral relations and regional and international developments.
Both sides discussed expanding trade and investment, with a focus on agriculture, infrastructure, digital technologies, financial technology and services.
They also explored cooperation in cybersecurity, climate resilience, vocational training, skills development and people-to-people exchanges.
A key outcome of the visit was the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority and Singapore's Civil Defence Force.
The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness, emergency response and resilience, reflecting both countries' efforts to improve their ability to manage natural disasters and other emergencies.
The ministers also discussed strengthening Pakistan's engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly ahead of Singapore's upcoming chairmanship of the regional bloc in 2027.
The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore, established in 1966.
The two governments said the anniversary underscored their shared commitment to building on decades of bilateral partnership and expanding cooperation across a range of sectors.
