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Saturday | September 19, 2026 | Dhaka

BMCCI seeks stronger BD-Malaysia trade ties

 Business Desk
 Published: 12:01 AM, 19 September 2026

The Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) has sought stronger trade and investment ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia, with the development of Bangladesh’s halal industry emerging as a key area of cooperation ahead of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026.

The chamber is pursuing a series of engagements with the Bangladesh government and Malaysian trade and investment agencies to facilitate greater market access, investment, technology transfer and business-to-business linkages.

A BMCCI delegation led by its President Md. Anwar Shahid recently met Md. Ataur Rahman Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, at the Bangladesh Secretariat to discuss bilateral trade and investment issues.

The delegation included Sharif Shah Jamal Raz, adviser to the BMCCI board and chairman of its Trade & Investment Standing Committee, and Secretary General Syed Moinuddin Ahmed.

The meeting discussed a possible free trade agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Malaysia, halal certification, skills development, employment, investment in economic zones, manufacturing and emerging industries, including semiconductor backward linkages.

Particular attention was given to developing a credible and internationally recognised halal testing and certification system to help Bangladeshi businesses access the expanding global halal market.

The Commerce Secretary said Bangladesh government is working to improve institutional coordination, with the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) dealing with testing-related matters and the Islamic Foundation overseeing certification.

According to the BMCCI, an effective halal ecosystem should go beyond certification and include international recognition, market access, investment, technology, product development and export readiness.

The chamber sees MIHAS 2026 as an important platform for connecting Bangladeshi businesses with Malaysian companies, investors and institutions involved in the halal economy.

The showcase brings together businesses and stakeholders from the global halal industry, covering food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, Islamic finance, services and other halal-related products and technologies.

BMCCI plans to hold meetings with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and other Malaysian stakeholders during its MIHAS engagement.

The meetings will focus on expanding bilateral trade, attracting Malaysian investment, identifying manufacturing and technology opportunities and establishing stronger business partnerships.

The chamber also plans to promote investment by Malaysian companies in Bangladesh’s economic zones, particularly in manufacturing sectors that can generate employment, transfer technology and diversify exports.

It is also exploring cooperation in skills-based education, employment-linked training and semiconductor-related backward-linkage industries.

Malaysia’s experience in halal certification and ecosystem development could provide Bangladesh with opportunities for knowledge sharing and market connectivity, while Bangladesh’s manufacturing base, large domestic market and young workforce could offer investment opportunities for Malaysian businesses.

The initiatives come as Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from the UN’s least developed country (LDC) category on November 24, 2026.

The BMCCI said stronger economic diplomacy and private-sector cooperation would become increasingly important for securing market access, attracting foreign investment and diversifying exports after graduation.

Through MIHAS and related engagements, the chamber aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s presence in the international halal market while broadening Bangladesh-Malaysia cooperation in trade, investment, manufacturing, technology and skills.