Bangladesh, Malaysia agree to boost ties in 9 key sectors

Bangladesh and Malaysia have agreed to elevate their longstanding bilateral partnership by expanding cooperation across nine strategic sectors, including trade, investment, labour migration, defence, energy, the digital economy, and regional affairs, while Kuala Lumpur reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh's aspiration to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and strengthen engagement with ASEAN.

The commitment was outlined in a joint statement issued following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, during the Bangladeshi premier's inaugural official visit to Malaysia since assuming office in February. The two leaders pledged to take bilateral relations to "new heights" and witnessed the exchange of several cooperation documents. They also reaffirmed their determination to conclude the proposed Malaysia-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (MBFTA) by 2027, emphasising the need to bolster two-way trade, investment flows, and private-sector collaboration through the establishment of a Joint Business Council.

Malaysia reiterated its support for Bangladesh's accession to the RCEP, describing the country's prospective membership as instrumental in reinforcing regional trade integration, investment, and supply-chain resilience. The leaders also agreed to institutionalise cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, semiconductor technology, renewable energy, education, tourism, halal industries, and workforce development. On labour migration, both sides pledged to formulate an updated framework to ensure transparent, ethical, and demand-driven recruitment while acknowledging the significant contribution of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia's economy.

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The discussions further encompassed defence cooperation, energy security, regional stability, and global challenges. Both countries agreed to enhance collaboration in military training, peacekeeping operations, counterterrorism, and transnational crime prevention, while encouraging greater Malaysian investment in Bangladesh's LNG infrastructure, offshore energy exploration, and renewable energy projects. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to resolving the Rohingya crisis through the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of displaced people, endorsed closer coordination within ASEAN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations, and reiterated support for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East through dialogue and diplomacy.