Tarique, Anwar begin talks to deepen Bangladesh-Malaysia ties

The closed-door meeting began around 9:30am local time at Perdana Putra, the office of the Malaysian Prime Minister.

"The two prime ministers are holding a one-on-one meeting," said Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Additional Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

The meeting marks Tarique Rahman's first official bilateral engagement with a foreign head of government since taking office and is a key event of his maiden overseas visit as prime minister.

Following the one-on-one meeting, bilateral talks between the two countries will begin, with the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Malaysia leading their respective delegations.

The Bangladesh delegation includes Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Finance and Planning Affairs Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and other senior officials.

According to Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, the discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, energy, the halal economy, manpower recruitment, the semiconductor industry, agriculture, education and people-to-people connectivity.

The two sides are also expected to explore ways to deepen economic engagement and strengthen strategic cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Officials said labour migration and the expansion of opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia are expected to be among the major issues on the agenda, alongside efforts to increase investment and boost bilateral trade.

After the bilateral talks, the two prime ministers are expected to witness the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation and two exchanges of notes covering counter-terrorism research and investment promotion and facilitation.

The two leaders are also scheduled to address a joint press conference to brief the media on the outcomes of their discussions.

Following the press conference, Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of the Bangladesh delegation will attend a state luncheon hosted by Anwar Ibrahim at his official residence, Seri Perdana Complex.

Renowned Malaysian artistes are expected to perform cultural programmes during the luncheon, including songs in both Bangla and Malay, reflecting the close friendship between the two nations.

Earlier in the morning, Tarique Rahman arrived at the Perdana Putra with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, around 9:00am local time.

He was accorded a warm red-carpet welcome by Anwar Ibrahim, highlighting the importance Malaysia attaches to the visit.

Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, warmly received the Bangladesh Prime Minister and exchanged greetings before the formal ceremony began.

Tarique Rahman was then escorted along a red carpet to the ceremonial square, where a smartly-turnout contingent of the Malaysian Armed Forces presented a guard of honour.

The national anthems of Bangladesh and Malaysia were played as the two prime ministers stood side by side during the ceremony.

After inspecting the guard of honour, Anwar Ibrahim introduced members of his Cabinet and senior government officials to the Bangladesh Prime Minister. Tarique Rahman, in turn, introduced the members of his delegation to his Malaysian counterpart.

Before the visit, the area surrounding Perdana Putra was decorated with the national flags of Bangladesh and Malaysia. Rows of flags lined both sides of the boulevard leading to the Prime Minister's Office, while the two countries' flags flew side by side around Putrajaya Square and the government complex, reports UNB.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on a two-day official visit.