Malaysia sees job prospects for Bangladeshi IT workers

Malaysia’s information and communication technology sector has a significant shortage of skilled professionals, creating substantial job opportunities for trained Bangladeshi workers, Malaysian Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said.

“If Bangladesh’s large young population can be equipped with the necessary technical and professional training, significant employment opportunities could open up for them in Malaysia’s labour market,” he said during a meeting with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday.

Chin Tong also said Bangladesh needs to further modernise its international payment systems to attract foreign investment and expand bilateral trade, according to a press release.

He said Malaysia’s experience in expanding Islamic finance, developing innovative financial products and strengthening financial infrastructure could offer useful lessons for Bangladesh.

Taskeen said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Malaysia stood at around $2.57 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

He said the two friendly Muslim-majority countries could explore new areas of economic cooperation, with closer government-to-government engagement helping to expand bilateral trade.

The DCCI president said the two countries could create new business opportunities by sharing their experience, trust and technological capabilities.

He said the Bangladesh government had recently announced long-term incentives and investment-friendly facilities for the renewable energy sector, including energy supply and solar power generation.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s growing energy demand and potential for renewable energy, Taskeen urged the Malaysian government to encourage its entrepreneurs to invest in the sector and develop long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

He said technology transfer, skills development and joint investment could make such cooperation more effective and sustainable.

Taskeen also highlighted Bangladesh’s successful mobile financial services (MFS) sector, saying the model is already being used in several countries, including those in the Middle East, and could provide useful lessons for Malaysia.

Bangladesh imports goods worth around $70 billion annually from across the world, making it a large and promising consumer market, he said.

He urged Malaysian exporters to expand their operations in Bangladesh to tap into the market and increase exports.

He also called for stronger commercial partnerships, product diversification and greater mutual investment between the two countries.