Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Singaporean counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Thursday agreed to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, with a particular focus on the economic and investment domain.

In a tweet, Bilawal said that the two officials “discussed bilateral and regional mutual interest. I also expressed our keen desire to enhance engagement with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).”

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the two ministers met on the sidelines of the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and reviewed the state of Pakistan-Singapore bilateral relations.

They agreed to enhance bilateral dialogue and cooperation and exchanged views on the global and regional issues of mutual interest. The two officials also discussed the potential for bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Bilawal admired Singapore’s development model as well as the lessons it offered to developing countries including Pakistan, said MOFA.

The foreign minister emphasised the importance accorded by Pakistan to its relations with Singapore, which is a key partner in the ASEAN Regional Forum. He also expressed a keen desire to enhance the country’s collaboration with ASEAN member states.

Underlining the importance of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, FM Bilawal and Balakrishnan agreed to remain in close contact to maintain the momentum of bilateral relations. FM Bilawal is leading the Pakistan delegation at the 29th Ministerial Meeting of ARF, which is being held from August 4 to August 6.