PUTRAJAYA: Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relations with Malaysia, including through closer engagement on regional and international developments.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said both countries agreed to enhance engagement through existing mechanisms, including the joint commission meeting and bilateral consultations between their foreign ministers.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-Malaysia relations.
“We agreed to enhance engagement through existing mechanisms, including the joint commission meeting and bilateral consultations between our foreign ministers,” he said in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here on Monday.
Earlier, both leaders witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation, as well as two Exchanges of Notes (EoN) in the fields of Counter-Terrorism Research and Investment Promotion and Facilitation.
Tarique said he and Anwar also exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to working together in the United Nations and other international organisations.
“I also thank Malaysia for supporting Bangladesh’s candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“We look forward to continuing our close cooperation on issues of shared interest,” he said.
Tarique, who arrived here on Sunday, is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Anwar. The visit marked his first bilateral official visit abroad since assuming office in February 2026.
In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh reached RM12.18 billion (US$2.84 billion), with Malaysia’s exports valued at RM10.08 billion (US$2.35 billion), driven mainly by petroleum products. Imports from Bangladesh amounted to RM2.10 billion (US$0.50 billion), comprising mainly textiles, apparel and footwear.
Bangladesh was Malaysia’s 28th largest trading partner globally in 2025 and it is also Malaysia’s second largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports in the South Asia region after India. – BERNAMA
