KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will hold official talks at Putrajaya today (Tuesday) morning to review progress in diverse areas and outline steps towards elevating relations between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur to new highs.
The Chief Adviser arrived in Kuala Lumpur at 7:50 pm (KL time) on Monday and will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex, Putrajaya (administrative capital) on Tuesday morning before private and delegation-level bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, report agencies.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will receive the Chief Adviser.
Earlier on Monday Malaysia rolled out the red carpet for Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus upon his arrival here on a three-day state visit.
Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail received the Chief Adviser at the airport, where Professor Yunus was also given a guard of honor.
Today, following private and delegation-level talks, the two leaders will witness the exchange of MoUs and notes, after which they will address a joint press conference.
Both in the private and delegation-level meetings, the issues of recruiting new Bangladeshi workers in various sectors of Malaysia, recruiting more professionals, and ensuring worker facilities and benefits will be discussed with great importance, officials said.
The Chief Adviser is paying a three-day official visit at the invitation of the Malaysian Prime Minister.
Both leaders are expected to review the progress of Bangladesh-Malaysia relations, particularly in trade and investment, labor, education, tourism, and defense.
The discussions will also include regional and international developments of mutual interest, including the repatriation of the Rohingyas, officials told UNB.
Both leaders will also witness the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of defense, energy, strategic and international studies, capacity building in semiconductors, and trade promotion, as well as the exchange of notes in the areas of diplomatic training and higher education.
In 2024, total trade between Bangladesh and Malaysia reached USD 2.92 billion, an increase of 5.1 per cent compared with 2023.
Bangladesh is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner and export destination in South Asia. Major exports include petroleum products, palm oil, and chemicals, while imports from Bangladesh comprise textiles, footwear, petroleum products, and manufactures.
Professor Yunus' visit came as a reciprocal gesture following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Bangladesh in October 2024.
Prime Minister Anwar, a long-time friend of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been a steadfast supporter of Bangladesh and its development initiatives.
The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster stronger cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, building upon the strong foundation established since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, said the Malaysian side.
In honor of the Chief Adviser and his delegation members, the Malaysian Prime Minister will host an official luncheon at the Seri Perdana Complex on Tuesday.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam described the visit as a 'very crucial and important' step to take relations to new heights.
"The visit is action-packed, and we expect it to be successful. We will hold deeper and broader discussions on all issues," Alam, who is accompanying the Chief Adviser, said.
Malaysia remains a key destination for Bangladeshi workers, he said, adding that recruitment and visa-related matters will be addressed during the visit. "Migration and investment will get special attention," Alam said.
Bangladesh will also seek Malaysian cooperation in deep-sea fishing and electric vehicle manufacturing through joint ventures, said the Press Secretary.
Director General (Public Diplomacy) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shah Asif Rahman said five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), covering a number of areas, are expected to be signed, alongside exchanging three additional notes of cooperation.
The MoUs are likely to be signed on defense cooperation, energy cooperation, formation of Business Councils (FBCCI and NCCIM), Cooperation between BMCCI and Malaysian institution MIMOS and Cooperation between Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), Asif Rahman said.
In addition, he said, there are possibilities of a total of three 'exchanges of notes' between the two countries on cooperation in the halal ecosystem, higher education and diplomatic training academy.
The Chief Adviser and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will witness the signing of the MoUs and the 'exchange of notes.'
DG Asif Rahman said Bangladesh's application to become a 'Sectoral Dialogue Partner' of ASEAN and to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be strongly highlighted during the visit.
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