Phnom Penh, 5 August 2022 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, met Vivian Balakrishnan, Foreign Minister of Singapore. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial meeting.

The Ministers reviewed Pakistan-Singapore bilateral ties and agreed on enhancing bilateral dialogue. Moreover, they also exchanged views on the issues of mutual interest both at regional and global levels.

Furthermore, they discussed the potential for bilateral trade as well as economic cooperation between Pakistan and Singapore. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan expressed appreciation for the development model of Singapore.

Also, Bilawal Bhutto emphasized that Pakistan values its relations with Singapore, as it is an important partner in ASEAN regional Forum. Moreover, he expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to enhance cooperation with ASEAN.

Both the Ministers agreed to remain in close contact for maintaining the momentum in diplomatic relations.

Pak-Singapore Relations

Pakistan and Singapore established their diplomatic relations in August 1966.  They marked and celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2016.

Both states are signatories to Bilateral Investment Treaty. The two started negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2005.

Since 2001, trade with Pakistan has been in favor of Singapore. In 2017, trade between the two states amounted to around 900.10 million USD. Moreover, Singapore mainly exports mineral fuels, mechanical appliances, and electrical machinery to Pakistan.

There have been frequent exchanges of visits between the two states. In November 2010, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistani Foreign Minister, visited Singapore at the invitation of George Yeo, Singaporean Foreign Minister.

In 2005, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz visited Singapore and was received by his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong. Furthermore, in January 2022, Singapore and Pakistan held Bilateral Political Consultations in a virtual meeting.

The duo discussed cooperation in various sectors including science and technology, defense and security, technical training, politics, environment, culture, and economics. Pakistan also thanked the Singaporean government for its assistance during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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