‘Bangladesh and Singapore: A Tale of Two Nations’, authored by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan, was unveiled in Dhaka on Wednesday, exploring historical parallels, cultural exchanges and the deepening economic ties between the two countries, with a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) charting a new course for bilateral relations.

Fresh from its Singapore launch, the book was formally introduced at a programme titled ‘Book Launch: Bangladesh and Singapore: A Tale of Two Nations’ held in the city's Baridhara in the evening, where speakers discussed its key themes and future-oriented insights.

In his opening remarks, author Enayetullah Khan, also Editor-in-Chief of UNB, said that following the book’s launch in Singapore on November 27, he felt Dhaka’s winter provided the right moment to present it to Bangladeshi readers.

The book, he noted, captures nearly six decades of dynamic relations between Bangladesh and Singapore from multiple perspectives.

“Bangladesh and Singapore do not merely stand on the conventional foundations of bilateral ties,” Khan said, adding, “Their relationship rests on a powerful narrative — trust, trade, investment and respect. These four principles form the strong pillars of Bangladesh–Singapore relations,” he said, adding that the book examines the economic outlook of both countries alongside their historical connections.

Singapore’s independence from Malaysia came six years before Bangladesh achieved independence from Pakistan in 1971, and both nations were led by towering figures — Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh and Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. Despite differing trajectories and transformations after independence, bilateral relations between the two countries have remained resilient.

Building on this foundation, the book outlines prospects for a new economic pathway. “Bangladesh is a South Asian country, while Singapore is in Southeast Asia. In today’s global power politics, the Bay of Bengal offers immense opportunities for Bangladesh. If shipping and trade potentials of the Bay are fully utilised, Bangladesh can witness a new wave of economic growth. In this context, a Bangladesh–Singapore FTA could open new doors and usher in a new horizon for both economies,” Khan added.

Echoing similar optimism, Singapore’s Acting High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mitchel Lee, who attended the event as a guest of honour, said the two countries share not only common waters of the Indian Ocean, but also intertwined historical journeys.

“Bangladesh and Singapore were not just born of similar histories; their economic journeys also began in comparable ways,” Lee said, referring to shared historical threads dating back to the anti-colonial struggles associated with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

He said the book effectively outlines areas of collaboration, while Khan’s journalistic background lends clarity and credibility to its facts and figures.

Lee acknowledged that an FTA would be a challenging process but said Singapore remains fully interested. “We are completely ready to move forward with an FTA with Bangladesh. Two rounds of discussions have already been held and a third round is ongoing. Singapore is keen to work with Bangladesh in energy, logistics, transport, digital economy, health and education.”

Another guest of honour, former Foreign Adviser and Cosmos Foundation President Iftekher Ahmed Chowdhury, highlighted lessons Bangladesh could draw from Singapore’s experience. He contrasted Singapore’s planned development with Bangladesh’s largely unplanned growth, while pointing to shared post-colonial challenges.

“If concluded, a Bangladesh–Singapore FTA would be a unique trade fusion,” Iftekher Chowdhury said, adding, “Singapore has emerged as a major technology hub, while Bangladesh has impressed the world with microcredit and has advanced significantly in climate resilience. There is much the two countries can achieve together.”

The event opened with a welcome address by Catherine Grace Gardner Khan, Creative Artistic Director of Cosmos Global Resources, who described the book as rich in literary and historical value, calling it an “intellectual milestone.”

From the audience, Cosmos Foundation Principal Research Fellow Asad-ul Iqbal Latif spoke about Singapore’s liberal outlook towards non-Singaporeans and acknowledged Khan’s long and dedicated effort behind the book.

The book was also recommended as essential reading by Dhaka University International Relations Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, former diplomat Tariq A Karim and former foreign secretary Farooq Sobhan.

Published by Cosmos Books, the book carries a foreword by Nobel laureate and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Recommending the book to readers, Professor Yunus writes: “In this book, Enayet has focused on the past, present and future between Bangladesh and Singapore… enabling him to make some prognoses that merit serious attention.”

Spanning 236 pages across seven chapters, the book presents the dynamic Bangladesh–Singapore relationship through historical narratives and economic analysis.

In his concluding remarks, Khan underscored a shared future vision, urging both countries to collaboratively promote each other’s complex historical legacies and cosmopolitan cultures as models of openness and inclusivity in an increasingly divided world.

Local and foreign diplomats, journalists and columnists, along with members of the city’s elite, attended the event.