CA’s Malaysia visit to be crucial, action-packed: Shafiqul Alam
Recruitment of Bangladesh workers and visa-related matters will be addressed during the visit, he says
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' three-day official visit to Malaysia is a "very crucial and important" step to strengthen ties between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur, said his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today (10 August).
"The visit will be an action-packed one, and we expect it to be successful. We will hold deeper and broader discussions on all issues," Shafiqul said while briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
Malaysia remains a key destination for Bangladeshi workers, he said, confirming that recruitment and visa-related matters will be addressed during the visit.
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"Migration and investment will get special attention," he added.
Bangladesh will also seek Malaysian cooperation in deep-sea fishing and electric vehicle manufacturing through joint ventures.
Shah Asif Rahman, director general (public diplomacy) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said five memorandums of understanding and three notes of cooperation are expected to be signed.
These will cover defence cooperation, energy, the formation of Business Councils, cooperation between the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Malaysian institution MIMOS (National Applied Research and Development Centre), and collaboration between the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies and the Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies.
There may also be notes on cooperation in the halal ecosystem, higher education, and diplomatic training academy, with Yunus and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim set to witness the signings.
Asif Rahman highlighted Bangladesh's application to become a 'Sectoral Dialogue Partner' of Asean and to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, highlighting the need for Asean countries, including Malaysia, to play a more active role in the repatriation of Rohingyas.
"This visit will play an important role in elevating the existing bilateral and economic relations with Malaysia to a new height," he said.
"We are optimistic that this visit will further strengthen the foundation of mutual respect, trust and cooperation between the two brotherly countries."
Yunus will leave today for the visit, invited by the Malaysian PM, a long-time friend and supporter of Bangladesh.
Key topics to be discussed include ensuring smooth and transparent recruitment of Bangladeshi workers, expanding cooperation in energy, trade, higher education, halal food production, the blue economy, and addressing the Rohingya crisis.
Yunus will be accompanied by senior officials, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Expatriates' Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam.
Formal welcome ceremony
The official welcome ceremony will take place on Tuesday morning at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya, where Anwar Ibrahim will receive Yunus. Yunus will inspect the guard of honour, meet the Malaysian delegation, and sign the guest book.
Upon arrival today at Kuala Lumpur International Airport's Bunga Raya VVIP Complex, Yunus will be greeted by Malaysia's Chief of Protocol and welcomed by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Bin Ismail with a static guard of honour.
After private and delegation-level talks, the leaders will witness the signing of MoUs and notes, followed by a joint press conference focusing on the recruitment of new Bangladeshi workers and ensuring their benefits, said DG Asif Rahman.
Anwar Ibrahim will host an official lunch in Yunus's honour in Putrajaya. Yunus will attend a business forum organised by the Bangladesh High Commission, BIDA, and Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, where the Bangladesh-Malaysia Joint Business Council will be announced.
The chief adviser will also hold several courtesy meetings and join a dinner hosted by the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Malaysia.
University visit and sectoral meetings
On Wednesday morning, Yunus will visit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, where he will be presented with an academic gown by the King of Negeri Sembilan, UKM's Chancellor, Malaysia's Minister of Higher Education, pro-chancellors, and vice-chancellors.
Fouzul Kabir Khan and Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun will meet with the vice president of Petronas. Separate meetings are planned for Asif Nazrul and Lutfey Siddiqi with Malaysia's ministers for human resources, agriculture and food security, and sports.
Yunus is scheduled to return to Dhaka on Wednesday night.
Dhaka's Asean ambition
In late July, Yunus renewed his appeal for Malaysia's support of Bangladesh's bid to join Asean.
Speaking to Nurul Izzah Anwar, vice president of Malaysia's People's Justice Party and daughter of PM Anwar Ibrahim, he said, "We want to become part of Asean, and we will need your support."
He expressed hope that Malaysia, as the current Asean chair, "will take an active role in facilitating Bangladesh's application and eventual full membership."
Yunus also urged Malaysian companies to invest in Bangladesh, saying, "Asia is ageing rapidly, but Bangladesh has a lot of young people. Half of our population is under 27. Set up your industries here and export from Bangladesh – it will benefit both our economies."
