Malaysian Senior Minister for International Trade and Industry Mohamed Azmin Ali on Tuesday praised the ‘strong leadership’ of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and showed interest to strengthen the bilateral relations with ‘brotherly’ Bangladesh.
He also lauded Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress when newly appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md. Golam Sarwar called on him at his office.
He said under the strong leadership of the Prime Minister, Bangladesh has become one of the emerging economies in the world, the High Commission said in a statement.
Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastagir, and Counselor (Commercial) Md Rajibul Ahsan were also present, among others, during the courtesy call.
High Commissioner Sarwar presented the picture of Bangladesh's progress to the Malaysian Minister and said the country is moving in the “right direction” under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
“International trade and foreign investment are expanding rapidly. Bangladesh's export products, especially readymade garments, ceramics, footwear and pharmaceuticals are now well-known all over the world,” he said.
He also called for importing more products from Bangladesh considering the price and quality of goods.
He informed the Malaysian Minister about the establishment of 100 economic zones across Bangladesh and urged Malaysian investors to invest in Bangladesh.
He also urged Malaysia to set up a special economic zone in Bangladesh like India, Japan, China and South Korea.
He highlighted Bangladesh's positive stance on the signing of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (FTA) between the countries and assured the Malaysian Minister of expediting the negotiation process as soon as possible.
The Malaysian minister described Bangladesh as a ‘trusted’ partner in South Asia and said that by strengthening trade relations, both the countries could achieve prosperity in their trade and commerce.
Earlier in the day, the High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Mohammad Azhar Mazlin, Under-Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
During the meeting, the High Commission said, they discussed various aspects of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia, especially the ongoing recalibration program for legalisation of illegal Bangladeshi workers, return of workers stranded in Bangladesh due to Covid, increased trade and investment, and Malaysia's continued support for the Rohingya issue.
