Bangladesh-Malaysia Ties: Yunus, Anwar reinforce strategic partnership
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, currently on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, has underscored the growing partnership between Bangladesh and Malaysia, emphasising trade, investment, and labour cooperation as pillars of their bilateral relationship.
Meanwhile, during Yunus’ visit, Bangladesh and Malaysia signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and exchanged three notes in various areas to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking during a series of meetings and public engagements in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Prof Yunus expressed the interim government’s readiness to hand over power to elected representatives following the announcement of the national election timetable.
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to enable voting rights for Bangladeshi expatriates, ensuring their participation in the upcoming February 2026 elections.
Addressing members of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Malaysia, Prof Yunus thanked expatriates for their vital contribution to Bangladesh’s economic recovery.
“The remittances you send have helped the country regain financial stability after years of economic hardship and banking sector crises,” he said.
He further revealed plans to launch a dedicated mobile application to enhance communication and access to government services for Bangladeshis living abroad.
The Chief Adviser acknowledged the government’s quick response in tackling passport and administrative issues affecting expatriates.
He praised Malaysia for its hospitality towards Bangladeshi workers and urged citizens to travel abroad with valid documentation.
“Your experiences abroad not only improve your livelihoods but also equip you with skills to contribute to Bangladesh’s future,” he said.
During a high-level business forum, Prof Yunus called on Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh, describing the country as a burgeoning, business-friendly environment with abundant young and creative talent.
He stated, “Bangladesh is transforming into a hub for manufacturing and trade.
We invite Malaysian businesses to invest, transfer technology, and benefit from our skilled workforce to produce goods for export.”
The forum featured presentations by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and Vivek Sood, CEO of Axiata Group, which operates cellular network Robi.
Top executives from Malaysian conglomerates including Petronas, Sime Darby Plantations, and Top Glove Corporation attended, signalling strong interest in enhanced economic cooperation.
A significant highlight of the visit was the bilateral meeting between Prof Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim at the Perdana Putra office in Putrajaya.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic ties across trade, investment, migration, energy, and education.
“Our two nations share a rich history and cultural affinity,” Prof Yunus remarked at the delegation-level talks. “Malaysia remains a key partner, particularly in people-to-people connections and economic engagement.”
Prime Minister Anwar described Prof Yunus as “a true friend of Malaysia,” praising his leadership of Bangladesh’s interim government.
The Malaysian leader stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in migrant worker welfare, education, and resolving the Rohingya crisis.
The meeting also saw both sides discuss labour migration, with Adviser on Law, Justice and Overseas Employment Professor Asif Nazrul urging greater recruitment of skilled Bangladeshi professionals, including doctors and engineers, via government-to-government arrangements.
Malaysia agreed to extend equal social security benefits to Bangladeshi workers and facilitate complaint mechanisms in Bengali.
The governments agreed to regularise undocumented Bangladeshi workers and support thousands of Bangladeshi students in Malaysia by facilitating “Graduate Pass” visas.
Currently, nearly 10,000 Bangladeshi students study in Malaysian universities, underscoring the importance of educational ties.
Trade negotiations advanced, with discussions on a Bangladesh-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement and efforts to operationalise a joint business council.
Bangladesh highlighted the need to address a trade imbalance by expanding Malaysian market access for medicines, footwear, ceramics, batteries, and jute products.
Both countries expressed interest in collaboration on the blue economy, renewable energy, and halal industry development, including plans for a Halal Economic Zone near Dhaka.
Bangladesh also sought Malaysia’s support for joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and discussed signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on LNG supply and energy cooperation.
Cultural exchange was another area of focus, with Prime Minister Anwar proposing a conference on prominent Asian writers, celebrating shared heritage through figures such as Rabindranath Tagore.
Earlier, Prof Yunus was welcomed with a red-carpet reception and guard of honour upon arrival at the Prime Minister’s office.
The delegation witnessed the signing of MoUs covering defence cooperation, diplomatic training, education, and trade facilitation between various institutions, including the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS).
Concluding the visit, Prime Minister Anwar hosted a luncheon in honour of the Chief Adviser, attended by senior officials from both countries, including Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, and Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.
Prof Yunus expressed optimism about the continued strengthening of Bangladesh-Malaysia ties, highlighting the role of diaspora engagement, trade liberalisation, and people-to-people connections in fostering mutual growth and development.