Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday morning warmly welcomed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus as he arrived in Malaysia’s administrative capital to have official talks and discuss ways to strengthen the relationship in diverse areas of mutual benefit.
Yunus was accorded an official welcome ceremony at Perdana Putra Complex where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received the chief adviser as the red carpet was rolled out.
He inspected the guard of honour as the national anthems of both countries were played.
Prof Yunus then was introduced to the Malaysian delegation, and he presented the Bangladeshi delegation to the prime minister before signing the guest book.
They will hold official talks to review the progress in diverse areas and outline steps towards elevating the relations between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur to a new height.
Following the private and delegation-level talks, the two leaders will witness (10:30am to 10:45am) the signing of MoUs and exchange notes, after which they will address a joint press conference.
Both in the private and delegation-level meetings, the issues of recruiting new Bangladeshi workers in various sectors of Malaysia, recruiting more professionals, and ensuring the facilities and benefits of workers will be discussed with great importance.
Both leaders are expected to review the progress of Bangladesh-Malaysia relations, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, labour, education, tourism and defence.
The discussions will also include regional and international developments of mutual interest, including the repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are likely to be in the fields of defence, energy, strategic and international studies, capacity building in semiconductors, and trade promotion, as well as the exchange of notes in the areas of diplomatic training and higher education.
Malaysia remains a key destination for Bangladeshi workers, and recruitment and visa-related matters will be addressed during the visit.
Bangladesh will also seek Malaysian cooperation in deep-sea fishing and electric vehicle manufacturing through joint ventures.
Director General (Public Diplomacy) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shah Asif Rahman said the five MoUs are likely to be signed on defence cooperation, energy cooperation, formation of Business Councils (FBCCI and NCCIM), Cooperation between BMCCI and Malaysian institution MIMOS and Cooperation between Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS).
In addition, he said, there are possibilities of a total of three “exchanges of notes” between the two countries on cooperation in the halal ecosystem, higher education, and diplomatic training academy.
Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies, extended a warm welcome to Chief Adviser Prof Yunus upon his arrival in Kuala Lumpur Monday evening. The Chief Adviser is paying a three-day official visit here at the invitation of the Malaysian Prime Minister.
Last October, the Malaysian Prime Minister made an official visit to Bangladesh, the first by any head of government since the interim government assumed office. He was accompanied by a 58-member delegation, including ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament and senior Malaysian officials.
The Chief Adviser is scheduled to return to Dhaka on Wednesday night.