Anwar Ibrahim due in Dhaka October 4

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to pay a brief visit to Bangladesh on October 4.

He will be visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, an official said on Monday.

His visit is expected to take forward the relations between the two countries to next level by exploring new areas of cooperation and strengthening the ties in diverse areas, reports UNB.

In August this year, Yunus invited him to undertake a short visit to Bangladesh as soon as possible to further strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries.

"The visit remains confirmed as of today," said a senior official at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, adding that his stay in Dhaka is likely to last a few hours.

Malaysia is the 8th largest investor in Bangladesh, the official mentioned.

"Apart from manpower issues, other ongoing cooperation including potential areas will come up for discussion," he said.

The Malaysian prime minister will have a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus apart from a few other engagements in Dhaka.

In August, the Malaysian leader made a phone call to his old friend Muhammad Yunus to congratulate him personally on his recent appointment as the chief adviser for the Interim government of Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus has long-standing good ties with Malaysia.

"Thus, I assured him that Malaysia stands ready to help and support the interim Government in rebuilding and restoring peace and security in Bangladesh," said the Malaysian PM.

At least seven Malaysian universities have Yunus Centre, promoting social business ideas he champions and his three-zero concept.

Malaysian companies, including several owned by its sovereign funds, have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and are now willing to invest more, including in education.