Anwar’s visit to Bangladesh set to enhance bilateral cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s brief official visit to Bangladesh on Friday is expected to generate significant anticipation, with local media in Bangladesh already highlighting the potential impact of the visit.

According to Bernama, the Dhaka Tribune reported that this will be the first visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister to Bangladesh in nearly 11 years and marks the first visit by a foreign head of government under the interim administration led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The last official visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister was in November 2013 when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak visited Dhaka.

The Dhaka Tribune also quoted an official stating, “There is a friendship between the Chief Advisor (Dr. Muhammad Yunus) and the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

“This friendship may influence Anwar’s decision to stop in Dhaka on his way back from Islamabad.”

Anwar is currently on a three-day official visit to Pakistan and will stop briefly in Dhaka for about four hours before returning to Malaysia.

Although brief, the bilateral meeting with Dr. Muhammad Yunus and separate discussions with Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin are viewed as strategic and significant.

Media outlets express hope that Anwar’s visit could pave the way for Malaysia’s support for reforms in Bangladesh and active cooperation in the repatriation of Rohingya refugees within the ASEAN framework.

With Malaysia scheduled to assume the ASEAN Chair in 2025, this issue is likely to be a major topic of discussion during the visit.

Meanwhile, the Daily Sun, another media entity in Bangladesh, reported that the President of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), Shabbir A Khan, expressed confidence in the visit’s potential to strengthen bilateral relations.

Shabbir emphasized Bangladesh’s interest in establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia to enhance trade and investment.

He stated that both countries could explore new cooperation opportunities in key sectors such as textiles, information and communication technology (ICT), technology, and agriculture, which could contribute to the economic growth of both sides.

“Anwar’s visit could also advance Bangladesh’s efforts to become an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner,” said Shabbir, adding that Malaysia’s role as an ASEAN member could be a crucial factor in supporting Bangladesh’s aspirations.

Shabbir also underscored Malaysia’s commitment to helping Bangladesh seek sustainable solutions for the Rohingya crisis and stated that the BMCCI believes Malaysia supports Bangladesh’s entry into the ASEAN framework.

The United News of Bangladesh (UNB), in its report on Thursday, cited Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain, who said that the bilateral discussions between Anwar and Muhammad Yunus are expected to cover a range of areas, including economic and trade relations, political cooperation, investment, labor exports, higher education collaboration, technology, infrastructure development, and defense cooperation.

The report noted that Malaysia is currently the eighth-largest investor in Bangladesh, with Malaysian companies having invested over US$5 billion in the country. A second car manufacturer from Malaysia recently signed an agreement with a company based in Chattogram to distribute and assemble cars, highlighting the growth of economic relations between the two countries.

With these developments, Anwar’s visit has the potential to enhance bilateral cooperation and lay the groundwork for a new strategic partnership.