Bangladesh, Malaysia to Sign FTA Soon

Bangladesh and Malaysia are set to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) soon as the two countries seek to deepen their economic partnership and expand bilateral trade and investment.

Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman said this while speaking as the guest of honour at a seminar titled “Towards a Stronger Bangladesh-Malaysia Partnership” at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on Saturday.

The High Commission of Malaysia and the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) jointly organised the event. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain attended as the chief guest.

“Looking ahead, our economic partnership must evolve. We are moving towards exciting developments for strategic frameworks such as the Malaysia-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” Mohd Shuhada said.

He said the two countries share a longstanding relationship rooted in diplomatic ties established in 1972, as well as strong people-to-people connections, cultural links, education and shared economic interests.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent official visit to Malaysia, the high commissioner said the visit had injected renewed momentum into bilateral relations.

He said Malaysia was honoured to be the first country visited by Tarique Rahman as prime minister, describing the visit as a reflection of the trust between the two countries and the importance both sides attach to their longstanding friendship.

“The visit was much more than a diplomatic milestone. It reaffirmed the shared political and economic will of both our leaders, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to elevate Malaysia-Bangladesh relations towards a broader and more comprehensive partnership,” he said.

Mohd Shuhada said Bangladesh, with its large and young population, expanding consumer market and growing industrial base, offers significant opportunities for Malaysian businesses. At the same time, Malaysia can provide Bangladeshi companies with a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia and the wider ASEAN market.

He stressed the importance of private-sector cooperation in translating political commitments into commercial opportunities.

The high commissioner said BMCCI could play a vital role in strengthening business ties between the two countries by bringing governments, businesses, investors and entrepreneurs together.

He said the two countries were committed to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, labour, education, healthcare, tourism, semiconductors, the halal industry, manufacturing, the digital economy, agriculture, energy, defence and human resource development.

He also said the Malaysian High Commission remained committed to working with BMCCI to promote investment and business cooperation.

FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque said Bangladesh could collaborate with Malaysia to further develop the country’s advanced halal industry.

He described Malaysia as one of the most attractive tourist destinations for Bangladeshis and praised BMCCI for its contribution to strengthening economic and social ties between the two countries.

BMCCI President Md Anwar Shahid and members of the newly elected board of directors also spoke at the event.