PM Tarique Rahman and Anwar Ibrahim Hold Bilateral Talks in Malaysia

Bilateral meeting of Tarique Rahman with Anwar Ibrahim begins The much-awaited bilateral meeting of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with his country's Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim has begun in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia. As this is Tarique Rahman's first foreign visit after assuming office as Prime Minister, the visit carries special significance in terms of diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was accorded a formal state reception at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya on Monday (June 22) morning. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail welcomed him. Later, after inspecting the guard of honour, the heads of government of the two countries met in a private and bilateral meeting.

The relevant sources said that the meeting is discussing ways to deepen and multi-dimensionally strengthen the existing relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia. Particular emphasis is being placed on increasing cooperation in the labor market, trade and investment, technology, energy and education sectors.

One of the main topics of discussion at the meeting is the Malaysian labor market. Many Bangladeshi workers who have been in Malaysia for a long time due to various complications have been in an irregular situation. The two leaders are reportedly discussing legalizing them, increasing employment opportunities, and simplifying the process of hiring new Bangladeshi workers.

The concerned quarters hope that positive progress in this regard will create new employment opportunities in Malaysia and end the long-standing uncertainty of Bangladeshi workers.

Special importance is also being given to the trade and investment sector in the meeting. In addition to further increasing the volume of trade between the two countries, discussions are underway on expanding the access of Bangladeshi halal products to the Malaysian market, technical cooperation in the semiconductor industry, and joint ventures in the energy sector.

According to economic analysts, this cooperation with Malaysia, one of the most important economies in Southeast Asia, can open new possibilities for Bangladesh's industrial and export sectors.

Another important aspect of the meeting is bilateral agreements and understandings. As part of the visit, memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and diplomatic notes are expected to be exchanged on various issues including cultural cooperation, counter-terrorism and research, and investment promotion and facilitation. These agreements are expected to further institutionalize and strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Bangladesh delegation, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the bilateral meeting in Putrajaya, is led by Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Prime Minister's Advisor (Ministry of Finance and Planning) Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir and Prime Minister's Advisor (Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment) and Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin

The meeting, led by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is attended by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohammad Hassan, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Prime Minister's Private Secretary Dato' Shahrol Anwar bin Sarman, and Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Amran Mohammad Jin.