A major outcome of the visit was the reaffirmation of commitment by both countries to advance negotiations on the proposed Malaysia-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (MBFTA), with the aim of concluding the deal in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two leaders noted that Bangladesh remains Malaysia\u2019s second-largest trading partner in South Asia and underscored the importance of expanding two-way trade and investment flows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also welcomed progress in establishing the Malaysia-Bangladesh Joint Business Council (JBC), which will serve as a structured platform for engagement between the private sectors of the two countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The leaders identified a broad range of sectors for enhanced collaboration, including telecommunications, energy, infrastructure, ports and logistics, halal industry, agro-processing, education and skills development, digital economy, semiconductors and smart manufacturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaysia backs Bangladesh\u2019s RCEP bid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a significant diplomatic development, Malaysia expressed support for Bangladesh\u2019s aspiration to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest trade bloc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Malaysian side acknowledged Bangladesh\u2019s growing economic importance and strategic role in the region, saying Dhaka\u2019s future participation in RCEP would strengthen regional economic integration, trade, investment and supply chains. Bangladesh welcomed the support and reaffirmed its commitment to undertaking the necessary measures for accession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo: PMO<\/p>\n\n\n\n Support for ASEAN engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reiterated Bangladesh\u2019s strong desire to formalise its engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through obtaining Sectoral Dialogue Partner status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prime Minister Anwar welcomed Bangladesh\u2019s interest and assured Malaysia\u2019s constructive support for Dhaka\u2019s aspirations within the ASEAN framework. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Labour migration cooperation to continue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Labour migration featured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders recognising the important contribution of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia\u2019s economy and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malaysia acknowledged Bangladesh\u2019s proposal regarding worker recruitment while noting that approvals for new foreign worker quotas would continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with current Malaysian policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two countries agreed to convene a Joint Working Group (JWG) to evaluate the existing labour migration Memorandum of Understanding and prepare a new, updated framework that reflects current realities and requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They also reiterated their commitment to ensuring transparent, fair and non-discriminatory recruitment processes through credible agencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cooperation in digital economy, AI and semiconductors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy, fintech, cybersecurity and digital governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They encouraged closer collaboration among government agencies, universities, research institutions and private-sector stakeholders and welcomed greater Malaysian investment in Bangladesh\u2019s digital economy, including technology parks, digital public infrastructure and special economic zones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognising Malaysia\u2019s global strength in semiconductor packaging and testing, the two sides also discussed a bilateral talent development framework to train and upskill Bangladeshi engineering graduates through expert exchanges and knowledge-sharing programmes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Halal industry cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both leaders acknowledged the growing commercial importance of the global Islamic economy and agreed to strengthen collaboration in developing Bangladesh\u2019s halal sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They welcomed ongoing cooperation between Malaysia\u2019s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) and Bangladeshi regulatory authorities and pledged enhanced cooperation in halal certification, regulatory frameworks, research, innovation, capacity building and institutional strengthening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo: PMO<\/p>\n\n\n\n Education, tourism and skills development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The two prime ministers noted the presence of around 11,000 Bangladeshi students in Malaysia and agreed to expand cooperation in higher education, university partnerships, joint research initiatives and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).<\/p>\n\n\n\n They also emphasised the need for mutual recognition of qualifications, joint degree programmes and stronger alignment of academic curricula with labour market demands. Energy sector investment encouraged<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Energy cooperation emerged as another key area of engagement. Both sides agreed to maximise the potential of the existing bilateral memorandum on liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, LNG infrastructure and petroleum products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bangladesh invited Malaysian companies to invest in oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal, extraction of untapped mineral resources, including coal and limestone, and renewable energy projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The two countries also encouraged cooperation between national energy companies and private-sector stakeholders to strengthen energy security and sustainability. The leaders praised the longstanding defence relationship between the two countries and pledged to fully operationalise the existing defence cooperation memorandum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They agreed to broaden collaboration in military science, technical expertise and defence industry partnerships and looked forward to convening the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) to formulate a structured roadmap for future cooperation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting UN peacekeeping operations through joint training, tactical exercises and knowledge exchanges while strengthening cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism, human trafficking and transnational crime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Malaysia reiterates support on Rohingya issue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On regional and international issues, both leaders expressed concern over the protracted Rohingya crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malaysia commended Bangladesh\u2019s humanitarian efforts in hosting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and reaffirmed its solidarity with Bangladesh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kuala Lumpur reiterated support for achieving a durable solution through the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bangladesh, in turn, appreciated Malaysia\u2019s continued advocacy on the Rohingya issue at bilateral, regional and international forums, including ASEAN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shared positions on global issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The two leaders exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and reiterated support for a just and lasting peace for the Palestinian people through continued dialogue and diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They also stressed the need for joint action to address climate change, food security, human trafficking, transnational crime and other traditional and non-traditional security challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both countries pledged closer coordination within international organisations, including the United Nations and the OIC, and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting justice, strengthening the international order and upholding international law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian government for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bangladesh and Malaysia have agreed to elevate their longstanding bilateral relations to a new level through enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, labour migration, defence, energy, digital economy and regional affairs, while Malaysia reiterated support for Bangladesh\u2019s RCEP and ASEAN aspirations. The commitment came during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman\u2019s official visit to Malaysia today at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":34984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,93],"tags":[46],"class_list":["post-34983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-nationwide","tag-46"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Photo:](\"https:\/\/www.bssnews.net\/assets\/news_photos\/2026\/06\/22\/inside-image\/1782126551_1.jpg\")
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The leaders expressed optimism about expanding tourism cooperation, particularly in the context of Malaysia\u2019s \u201cVisit Malaysia 2026\u201d and \u201cMalaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026\u201d campaigns, while agreeing to enhance tourism promotion and cultural exchanges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defence and security ties deepen<\/p>\n\n\n\n