She expressed the view when Singaporean High Commissioner to Bangladesh Verghese Mathews made a courtesy call on her at the PMO. The Singaporean envoy

supported her view.

Khaleda said Bangladesh is now producing a number of world class products, including pharmaceuticals, ceramics and leather products.

She also urged the Asean country to invest in Bangladesh availing the investment facilities offered by her government.

Both of them stressed on organising a single country Bangladesh trade fair in Singapore to display Bangladeshi products for business promotion. They also laid importance on exchanging visits at various levels.

The Prime Minister proposed for imparting training to Bangladesh port officials at Singapore Port Institute. The envoy said he will discuss about it with the concerned authorities in Singapore.

Verghese Mathews appreciated Bangladesh's success in various fields, particularly microcredit and women empowerment, saying the achievements have also been lauded at different regional and international forums.

Khaleda told the High Commissioner that late President Ziaur Rahman began the process of women empowerment through various pragmatic steps and activities.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan called for larger investment by Singapore in Bangladesh to offset the huge trade gap between the two countries.

He said this when Verghese Mathews met him at his office.

He said Bangladesh and Singapore are friendly countries and have commonalities on many regional and international issues.

The minister said more investment from Singapore and increased import of Bangladeshi products could be areas of cooperation to minimise the trade gap.

He appreciated Singapore's support for Bangladesh's ARF membership and hoped that bilateral relations between the two countries would be deepened in the days to come.