Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed for Malaysia on Sunday afternoon on his first overseas visit since assuming office, with a focus on strengthening bilateral economic ties, expanding investment opportunities, widening the labour market, and deepening strategic cooperation.
A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and members of the accompanying delegation took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:45pm for Kuala Lumpur, according to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
He said the visit comes at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and will continue for two days. “From Malaysia, the prime minister will proceed to China for a four-day official visit,” he added.
The prime minister is leading a 23-member high-level delegation that includes Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Adviser on Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, and Adviser on Defence AKM Shamsul Islam.
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly were present at the VVIP lounge to see him off.
Diplomats from Malaysian and Chinese missions in Dhaka, along with senior government officials, were also present.
The flight is scheduled to land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 8:45pm local time, where the prime minister will be formally received by Malaysian authorities.
Officials have said that expanding access to the Malaysian labour market remains a top priority during the visit.
According to Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, the prime minister will be received at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office, Perdana Putra in Putrajaya, on Monday with a ceremonial welcome.
A restricted meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will be followed by delegation-level talks.
The two sides are expected to discuss cooperation in trade, investment, energy, halal economy, semiconductor industry, agriculture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Special emphasis will be placed on recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in various sectors in Malaysia, along with expanded opportunities for professionals, improved welfare, and skill development for migrant workers.
Following the bilateral talks, both leaders will witness the signing and exchange of documents, followed by a joint press briefing.
One Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation is expected to be signed, along with a Terms of Reference to begin negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), officials said.
The Malaysian prime minister is also scheduled to host a luncheon at the Seri Perdana Complex in honour of his Bangladeshi counterpart.
After concluding his Malaysia engagements, the Prime MinisterTarique Rahman will travel to Dalian, China, on Monday afternoon to attend the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as the Summer Davos, where he is expected to hold multiple high-level bilateral meetings.
During the China visit, Bangladesh and China are expected to sign 15-17 bilateral instruments, including 13 MoUs, two agreements, one action plan, and one protocol, according to officials.
The prime minister is also scheduled to hold meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping.
Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Bangladesh on 26 June after completing his first foreign tour as head of government.
