Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim receives CA Yunus at Putrajaya as red carpet rolls out

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim this morning (12 August) warmly welcomed Chief Adviser 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. 

CA 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, officials told UNB.

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. 

Upon his arrival at Bunga Raya VVIP Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Prof Yunus was received at the boarding bridge by Malaysia's Chief of Protocol.

He was then escorted to the VVIP Complex, where the Chief Adviser was welcomed by Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Bin Ismail and accorded a static guard of honour.

Prof Yunus then inspected a guard of honour consisting of 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Captain Mohd Masrur Hidayat Masri.

The Chief Adviser is paying a three-day official visit here at the invitation of the Malaysian Prime Minister.

In 2024, the total trade volume between Bangladesh and Malaysia reached $2.92 billion, an increase of 5.1 per cent compared with 2023. 

Bangladesh is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner and export destination in South Asia, and major exports include petroleum products, palm oil, and chemicals, while imports from Bangladesh comprise textiles, footwear, petroleum products, and manufactures.

Prof Yunus' visit came as a reciprocal gesture following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Bangladesh in October 2024. 

Prime Minister Anwar, a long-time friend of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been a steadfast supporter of Bangladesh and its development initiatives.

The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster stronger cooperation in areas of mutual benefits, building upon the strong foundation established since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, said the Malaysian side.

In honour of the Chief Adviser and his delegation members, the Malaysian Prime Minister will host an official luncheon at the Seri Perdana Complex on Tuesday.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam described the visit as a 'very crucial and important' step towards taking the relations to a new height.

"The visit is an action-packed one, and we expect it to be successful. We will hold deeper and broader discussions on all issues," Alam, who is accompanying the Chief Adviser, said.

DG Asif Rahman said Bangladesh's application to become a 'Sectoral Dialogue Partner' of ASEAN and to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be strongly highlighted during the visit.

In addition, he said, ASEAN member states, including Malaysia, will be called upon to play a more active and effective role in the repatriation of Rohingyas.

Asif Rahman said this visit will play an important role in elevating the existing bilateral and economic relations with Malaysia to a new height.

"We are optimistic that this visit will further strengthen the foundation of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation between the two brotherly countries," he said.  

On Wednesday, the Chief Adviser is scheduled to deliver a public lecture, and he will be conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Business by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). 

Prof Yunus will also have a session with members of the Yunus Social Business Centre community and the university network in a programme jointly organised by UKM.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam are accompanying the Chief Adviser during the visit that will see a series of other meetings in addition to bilateral talks.

Prof Yunus will later attend a Business Forum jointly to be organised by the Bangladesh High Commission, BIDA, and Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), where the formation of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Joint Business Council will be announced.

The Chief Adviser will attend a series of courtesy meetings before joining dinner to be hosted by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Malaysia.

On Wednesday morning, Prof Yunus will visit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

The King of Negeri Sembilan and Chancellor of UKM, Malaysia's Minister of Higher Education, pro-chancellors and vice-chancellors, will attend the ceremony, where Prof Yunus will be presented with an academic gown.

Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun will hold talks with the Vice President of Petronas.

Separate meetings have been requested for Expatriates' Welfare Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi with Malaysia's Minister for Human Resources, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security (fisheries and deep-sea fishing), and Minister for Sports

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.