Bangladesh has significant potential to expand agricultural exports to Singapore, especially through halal-certified products, said Derek Loh, non-resident high commissioner of Singapore to Bangladesh.

He made the remarks yesterday at a business roundtable titled "Investment Climate in Bangladesh and Singapore-Bangladesh Business Opportunities," hosted by Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) at its Gulshan headquarters in the capital.

Loh pointed out the growing interest in halal-certified Bangladeshi goods among Singapore's Muslim consumers, emphasising the need for joint efforts to navigate ongoing global economic challenges.

"Not only big investors, but small entrepreneurs from Singapore are also interested in investing in Bangladesh," he added.

The roundtable was attended by a high-level delegation from Singapore in connection with the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025.

It aimed to strengthen bilateral business ties and promote sustainable partnerships as Bangladesh prepares for graduation from the least-developed country category.

The central bank is committed to building a financial ecosystem that supports bilateral trade and aligns with international standards, said Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank.

"We see Singapore not just as a trade partner, but as a strategic ally," he added.

Highlighting Bangladesh's growing appeal as an investment destination, Md Hasan Abdullah Towhid, director of the South East Asia wing of the foreign ministry, pointed to the country's young workforce, manufacturing capacity, and gateway potential to South Asia.

Ahmed Shaheen, additional managing director of EBL, proposed the creation of a dedicated Singapore desk, following the bank's success with similar desks for China, Korea, Japan, and India.

Singapore is currently Bangladesh's third-largest foreign investor.

Participants also discussed how Singapore's logistics advantage could facilitate wider access for Bangladeshi exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asian markets.

Top officials from Enterprise Singapore, Surbana Jurong, Cyclect Group, DBS Singapore, and EBL also attended the event.