NEW DELHI, Aug 29 – Bangladesh has sought Malaysia’s support to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Bangladesh interim government head Muhammad Yunus conveyed this to Malaysian High Commissioner Haznah Md Hashim when the envoy called on him in Dhaka on Wednesday (Aug 28).
Haznah, who will be leaving Bangladesh at the end of her four-year tenure, said she would convey Yunus’s message regarding the Asean membership to the Malaysian authorities, according to Bangladesh’s state media.
“Bangladesh can be a bridge between Asean and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation),” Yunus was quoted as saying.
Malaysia will assume Asean’s rotating chairmanship in 2025.
The interim government’s chief adviser, whose position is equivalent to a prime minister, underlined the close relationship between Bangladesh and Malaysia and sought further economic cooperation.
Malaysian companies have invested US$5 billion in Bangladesh and they are keen to invest more, Haznah said, according to a Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha report.
The high commissioner, during the meeting with Yunus, raised tax issues being faced by Robi Axiata and other Malaysian companies, saying about 50 per cent of Robi’s revenue is paid as taxes, the report said.
Mohd Shuhada Othman will be Malaysia’s new high commissioner to Bangladesh.
He is among the seven Malaysian envoys who received their instruments of appointment on Tuesday.
