Dhaka, KL want stronger ties; next round of discussions on FTA soon

Bangladesh and Malaysia on Friday agreed to hold the next round of discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) soon.

The two countries also agreed to hold a foreign minister-level joint commission meeting preferably in the early next year.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus discussed the issues during a bilateral meeting in Dhaka.

The Malaysian Prime Minister paid an official visit to Bangladesh, marking the first official visit by any Head of Government after the assumption of the Interim Government assumed office.

A 58-member delegation, comprising the foreign minister, investment, trade, and industry minister, deputy minister for transport, deputy minister for religious affairs, members of parliament, and high officials of the Malaysian government accompanied the visiting prime minister.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus received the Malaysian premier at the airport.

Anwar Ibrahim was accorded red-carpet reception with a guard of honour and gun salutes.

Official engagements began with a tête-à-tête between the two leaders, followed by a bilateral talk.

During the meetings, two leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to revitalise the long-standing bilateral relations and also discussed potential areas of collaboration, among others, data science, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, finance, health, higher education, agriculture, energy, defence and halal economy.

The Malaysian PM lauded Prof Yunus's enormous contribution to the marginalised segment of society through microcredit and social business in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world.

Referring to the Chief Adviser as his 'great friend', Ibrahim expressed his support for the interim government's reform efforts.

Advisers for foreign affairs, commerce and finance, expatriates' welfare, home affairs, road, transport and bridges, the chief adviser's special envoy on international affairs, relevant secretaries and other senior officials of the Bangladesh government were present from the Bangladesh delegation.

On the occasion, CA Yunus also briefed the visiting Malaysian PM on the ongoing reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government towards a democratic and just Bangladesh.

"We are moving to a new Bangladesh, which will make us proud," said Prof Yunus.

Ibrahim expressed his support for the interim government's effort "to bring Bangladesh's economic trajectory back to track".

During the official talks, the Chief Adviser drew special attention to the Malaysian dignitary on the 18,000 Bangladesh workers who could not fly within the deadline.

The Malaysian Prime Minister assured that his government will give major consideration to the applications of these Bangladeshi workers.

Prof Yunus urged the Malaysian government to issue multiple visas for the Bangladeshi workers and increase the professional and workers in-take to Malaysia.

While deeply appreciating the enormous contribution made by the Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia, Ibrahim underscored the importance of ensuring decent work conditions and other benefits.

He added that the Malaysian government is reviewing the whole recruitment process aimed at ensuring full transparency and accountability in the sector.

The chief adviser drew his Malaysian counterpart's attention to the numerous challenges faced by Bangladesh due to the presence of 1.2 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus expressed hope as Malaysia is taking up the chairmanship of the ASEAN, it will use its good offices to increase pressure on the Myanmar authority in order to ensure early repatriation of the Myanmar nationals.

The Malaysian Prime Minister said that he would extend wholehearted support in this regard. As regards Bangladesh's bid for sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN, Anwar Ibrahim assured to extend all possible support.

Later, Ibrahim and Yunus jointly addressed the media.

While interacting with the members of the media, both the leaders agreed that the visit has elevated the bilateral relations to a new height.

Following the press conference, Yunus hosted a reception in honour of the visiting Prime Minister.

Advisers of the interim government, members of the Malaysian delegation, foreign envoys, government high officials and eminent persons were in attendance.

Prime Minister Anwar also called on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. Issues pertaining to mutual interests were featured prominently in the discussion.