Malaysian PM due in city Oct 4

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to pay a brief visit to Bangladesh on October 4.

The visit is aimed at taking forward the relations between the two countries to next level by exploring new areas of cooperation and strengthening the ties in diverse areas, reports UNB.

He will be visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, an official said on Monday.

In August this year, Prof Yunus invited him to undertake a short visit to Bangladesh as soon as possible to further strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries.

"The visit remains confirmed as of today," a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB, adding that his stay in Dhaka is likely to last a few hours.

Malaysia is the 8th largest investor in Banglafesh, the official mentioned.

"Apart from manpower issues, other ongoing cooperation including potential areas will come up for discussion," he said.

The Malaysian prime minister will have a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus apart from a few other engagements in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday said this will be an official visit, and the Malaysian Prime Minister will lead a 58-member delegation, including a number of Malaysian ministers.

While briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hossain said the Malaysian PM will also meet the President.

In August, the Malaysian leader made a phone call to his old friend, Prof Muhammad Yunus, to congratulate him personally on his recent appointment as the chief adviser for the Interim government of Bangladesh.