KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Bangladesh regards Malaysia as a trusted partner and is committed to deepening bilateral cooperation, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s choice of Malaysia for his first official bilateral visit signalling the importance Dhaka attaches to the relationship.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury said although the visit lasted less than 24 hours, it was highly productive, with both leaders sending a clear signal of their commitment to elevating bilateral relations into a robust partnership while expanding cooperation across various sectors.
“Our prime minister has chosen Malaysia as his first country for overseas visit, so it gives a clear message that how Bangladesh gives or attaches importance in its relation with Malaysia.
“It also gives another indication that Bangladesh always sees Malaysia as a trusted friend and partner and Bangladesh is willing to go further, deeper to strengthen its bilateral cooperation,” he said on Bernama TV’s programme ‘The Nation’.
Chowdhury said Tarique’s official visit to Malaysia last month at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had injected fresh momentum into Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur relations and paved the way for both sides to explore new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
He said Malaysia and Bangladesh’s agreement to fast-track negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), with the aim of concluding them in 2027, would help boost bilateral trade and investment.
“Malaysia can consider investing in Bangladesh for products that will be ultimately sold in ASEAN market also. At present, our products in the Malaysian market face almost 32 per cent tariff. If we can agree on a free trade agreement, it will be drastically reduced. This will help flourish our bilateral trade,” he said.
Welcoming Malaysian investment in Bangladesh’s infrastructure development, Chowdhury said the country offered opportunities in telecommunications, roads and bridges, advanced manufacturing and the digital economy as it continued to expand its infrastructure.
Bangladesh was Malaysia’s 28th largest trading partner globally, with total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh standing at RM12.18 billion (US$2.84 billion) in 2025. It was also Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports in the South Asia region after India.
Malaysia’s exports to Bangladesh were valued at RM10.08 billion (US$2.35 billion), comprising mainly petroleum products, while imports amounted to RM2.10 billion (US$500 million), consisting primarily of textiles, apparel and footwear.
On Bangladesh’s closer engagement with ASEAN, Chowdhury said Bangladesh was seeking Malaysia’s support for its aspiration to become ASEAN’s sectoral dialogue partner.
“We are ready to contribute meaningfully in that capacity,” he said.
