Malaysia may consider visa issue of 55,000 Bangladeshis

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Minister for International Trade and Industry of Malaysia Mohd. Yassin has assured of Malaysian government's all possible cooperation regarding the visa issue of 55,000 Bangladeshi workers, report BSS and UNB.
The assurance came when Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, now in Kuala Lumpur to attend a 3-day general assembly of Malaysia's ruling party, met Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Mohd. Yassin, the next Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Friday.
Dipu Moni informed him of the current status of the workers saying that the workers from Bangladesh usually work in the sectors of the labour market where the Malaysian workers normally do not work, said an official release received Saturday.
"So, there should not be any misconception regarding loosing of jobs," the release added.
As the Bangladesh foreign minister requested him for immediate reconsideration of the decision of the Malaysian government, Mohd. Yassin assured her of Malaysian government's all possible cooperation in this regard.
The Foreign Minister urged the Malaysian Minister to make efforts to increase Malaysian investment in Bangladesh to avail of incentives on offer for foreign investors.
She also mentioned the need to diversify the imports of Malaysia from Bangladesh since Bangladesh has other products of excellence.
In response, Minister Yassin said, "Increased Malaysian investment in Bangladesh would be one of my priorities."
He also stressed the need for growing cooperation in the field of trade and commerce between the two countries at this time of financial crisis.
Dipu Moni congratulated him on his election as the Deputy Leader of the ruling party and expressed the hope that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia would be further strengthened in the future.
Malaysia's new leadership will be elected at the general assembly of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) now in progress (March 26-28).
Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Dato Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi has assured continued support to Bangladesh and its people in future under the new administration in Kuala Lumpur.
The assurance came when Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni called on the Malaysian Prime Minister Friday and conveyed good wishes of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to him.
Dipu Moni thanked him for the invitation to attend the UMNO General Assembly.
The Foreign Minister said the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries grew manifold during the tenure of Prime Minister Badawi.