Malaysian FM in city to discuss bilateral, Rohingya issues

Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a three-day visit to discuss wide-ranging bilateral, regional and international issues including Rohingya issue, reports UNB.

The Malaysian Foreign Minister, who is now on his first trip to Bangladesh since assuming the post last year, will have a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen today (Sunday), said a Foreign Ministry official.

Both the ministers will discuss issues of mutual interest including trade, manpower export and Rohingya issues, he said.

The Malaysian foreign minister is likely to visit the Malaysian field hospital and several Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar district during his visit.

"This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the existing warm and friendly relations between both countries and further boost bilateral cooperation as well as reaffirm Malaysia's continued support to the government of Bangladesh in providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas," reads a statement issued by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

Bangladesh and Malaysia had substantial trade and investment ties with the 2018 two-way trade valued at US$2.37 billion, a significant increase of 35.4 per cent from $1.75 billion in 2017.

From January to April 2019, according to Malaysian news agency Bernama, trade increased by 2.7 per cent to $793.1 million compared to $771.5 million over the same period in 2018.

Bangladesh is Malaysia's second largest trading partner among South Asian countries.