DPM Ishaq Dar, Singapore FM discuss new trade and investment opportunities

Pakistan and Singapore have agreed to explore new opportunities to strengthen trade, investment and economic cooperation as their foreign ministers held high-level talks in Islamabad on Friday, marking six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the two leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation across several sectors, including business, connectivity, skills development and investment.

According to a Foreign Office statement, the discussions focused on longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Singapore and the need to translate their strong diplomatic partnership into more substantial economic ties.

Both ministers emphasised the importance of regular high-level exchanges, stronger business-to-business engagement and greater people-to-people contacts to unlock new opportunities for cooperation.

During the delegation-level talks, Dar acknowledged that the depth of diplomatic relations between the two countries was not adequately reflected in their existing economic relationship.

Highlighting his focus on economic diplomacy, Dar expressed confidence that closer collaboration could take bilateral economic ties to a new level. He also suggested that Pakistan’s Board of Investment could work with its Singaporean counterpart to identify investment opportunities and encourage business partnerships.

The two sides also discussed cooperation at international forums and Pakistan’s growing engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly ahead of Singapore’s upcoming chairmanship of the regional organisation in 2027.

Balakrishnan recalled Singapore’s longstanding friendship with Pakistan, noting that Pakistan was among the early countries to recognise Singapore following its independence.

The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Dar stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes and promoting lasting peace and stability.

According to the Foreign Office, discussions also covered Palestine and Kashmir during a restricted meeting.

Separately, the visit is expected to strengthen practical cooperation through a memorandum of understanding on disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The agreement is aimed at providing another avenue for institutional collaboration between the two countries.

The Singaporean foreign minister’s visit highlights a shared commitment to broadening bilateral relations beyond traditional diplomatic engagement and building stronger economic and institutional partnerships.

As Pakistan and Singapore celebrate 60 years of friendship, both sides appear keen to turn their longstanding relationship into tangible opportunities for businesses and their people.