Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Anwar Ibrahim to quickly open the Malaysian labor market for Bangladeshis.
He made the call at a joint press conference at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya at 11:30 am local time on Monday.
The Prime Minister said, “I have asked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to consider hiring more Bangladeshi workers and opening the labor market quickly. I have also raised the issue of legalizing irregular workers and the possible repatriation of detained Bangladeshis.”
The Prime Minister said, “We have agreed that the labor recruitment process must be transparent, fair and affordable, so that the role of middlemen is reduced and the costs of workers are reduced.”
After the high-level meeting between the two countries, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman participated in a joint press conference. First, Anwar Ibrahim greeted the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. Later, Tarique Rahman spoke, highlighting the content of the bilateral meeting.
At the beginning of the press conference, thanking Anwar Ibrahim, Tarique Rahman said, “The first message of greetings I received after I assumed office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh last February was from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He congratulated me and invited me to visit Malaysia.”
He said, “I feel honored to accept his (Anwar Ibrahim’s) sincere invitation. We are very happy to be coming to Malaysia with my wife on my first foreign visit as Prime Minister.”
Recalling his father President Ziaur Rahman’s visit to Malaysia in 1979, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, “That visit further strengthened the political relations between the two countries. At the same time, it laid the foundation for cooperation in labor matters.”
He said, “I also recall my mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s visit to Malaysia in 1993. Her visit deepened our friendship and opened up new areas of bilateral cooperation.”
The Prime Minister said, “Malaysia has been a long-standing trusted and close partner of Bangladesh. Our friendship is built on mutual trust, common values ​​and strong people-to-people ties.’
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed his gratitude and thanks to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the government and people of Malaysia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him in Malaysia.
He said, ‘Once again, I thank the government and people of Malaysia for their friendship and warm hospitality. We are returning home with fond memories.’
Stating that the bilateral meeting was fruitful, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, ‘I had extensive and fruitful discussions with the Malaysian Prime Minister. We discussed various issues of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the regional and international situation.’
He said, ‘Today, we have reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen Bangladesh-Malaysia relations. We have agreed to enhance engagement through existing frameworks, including the Joint Commission Meeting and the bilateral consultation process between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. ‘
The Prime Minister said, ‘We have welcomed the growth in bilateral trade and have decided to take forward the discussions on the Bangladesh-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).’
Welcoming the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on culture, a document on cooperation in research and capacity building on counter-terrorism and a bilateral document on investment during the meeting, the Prime Minister said, ‘These initiatives will further strengthen our cooperation and help maintain the positive momentum of the relationship.’
She said, ‘I firmly believe that today’s discussion will usher in a new chapter in Bangladesh-Malaysia relations. We look forward to working together to build shared prosperity, regional peace and a more inclusive international system.’
It is worth noting that after the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding on culture was signed in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the two countries. In addition, a document on cooperation in research and capacity building on counter-terrorism and a bilateral document on investment were exchanged. The foreign ministers of the two countries exchanged two documents.
The prime ministers of the two countries then participated in the joint press conference.
Urging Malaysian businessmen, the Prime Minister said, “The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has received strong public support from the people in the February 12, 2026 parliamentary elections. Based on the overwhelming support of the people, we have re-established political stability through a democratic process. Our priority is to create jobs, attract foreign investment and accelerate economic growth. We are creating an investment-friendly environment and creating new opportunities for investors.”
He said, “I believe that there is huge potential for Malaysian investment in Bangladesh and I sincerely urge Malaysian businessmen to utilize these opportunities.”
The Prime Minister said that the discussions of the bilateral meeting included ‘Information and Communication Technology (ICT), energy, infrastructure, manpower, halal industries, agro-based processing, education, skill development, defense, digital economy, semiconductors and other high value-added sectors.
Tarique Rahman said, ‘Bangladeshi workers, students, professionals and entrepreneurs residing in Malaysia are working as an important bridge between the two countries. Their contribution is important for the economies and societies of both countries.’
Regarding the Rohingya issue, the Prime Minister said, ‘I express deep concern over the plight of the Rohingya community who have taken refuge in Bangladesh and thank Malaysia for its continued support for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation.’
Says that Bangladesh seeks closer ties with ASEAN, the Prime Minister said, ‘We also discussed regional cooperation. Bangladesh seeks closer engagement with ASEAN and looks forward to becoming a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN. ‘
He said, ‘At the same time, we are keen to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). I express my gratitude for Malaysia’s support for Bangladesh’s regional integration efforts.”
Taking the meeting to exchange views on various global issues including the Middle East situation, Tarique Rahman said, ‘We have reiterated our commitment to work together in the United Nations and other international organizations. I thank Malaysia for supporting Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. We are hopeful that our close cooperation on issues of mutual interest will continue.’
Inviting the Malaysian Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said, ‘I invite Honorable Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. The people of Bangladesh will be proud to welcome them.’
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation in this bilateral meeting between the two countries. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim led the Malaysian delegation. The meeting discussed various bilateral issues and ways to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The Bangladesh delegation includes, among others, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque, State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir, Finance Advisor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Education and Overseas Employment Advisor Mahdi Amin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon.
Source : BSSÂ
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