PM Tarique Rahman holds bilateral meeting with Malaysian PM during official visit

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, received a warm welcome with state honours from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday morning, June 22.

A red carpet reception was given at the Perdana Putra building, the Prime Minister's Office, in Putrajaya. Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman departed from the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur in a motorcade at 8:30 am local time. Upon arrival at the Perdana Putra building at 9:00 am, they were received by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Dato' Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

A contingent of the Malaysian Armed Forces presented a guard of honour to Tarique Rahman. The national anthems of both countries were played, and the prime minister inspected the guard.

Following the ceremonial reception, the two leaders introduced their respective delegations. Tarique Rahman then signed the visitors' book before the two leaders held a bilateral meeting on the fifth floor of the building.

This is Tarique Rahman's first bilateral foreign visit since assuming office as prime minister. The two countries are expected to discuss expanding cooperation beyond the traditional labour market into trade, investment, energy, education, the halal economy, and technology.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siyam said a memorandum of understanding on the terms of reference for a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is likely to be signed during the visit. A cultural cooperation MoU may also be signed.

The two prime ministers are expected to discuss increasing trade and investment, expanding the labour market, strengthening cooperation in education, agriculture, energy, the halal industry and semiconductors. Issues related to new Bangladeshi worker recruitment in Malaysia, Bangladesh's membership in ASEAN, and Malaysia's support in resolving the Rohingya crisis are also likely to be discussed.

Business leaders view the visit as a significant milestone, coming after over five decades of diplomatic relations, with expectations that it will strengthen the bilateral economic partnership.