Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Dhaka on Friday afternoon on an official visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
On his arrival at around 2PM, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus received the Malaysian Premier at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport where he was given a guard of honour, foreign ministry sources said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is leading a 58-member delegation consisting members of his cabinet, ministers, members of parliament and senior government officials.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and High Commissioners of Malaysia and Bangladesh, among others, were present at the airport.
After almost a decade, a Malaysian Prime Minister is visiting Bangladesh, and this official visit is the first by any head of government to Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government on August 8.
He was directly taken to Hotel InterContinental from the airport where he will be staying during the hours-long visit.
The bilateral meeting between PM Ibrahim and CA Prof Yunus will be held at the same hotel, which will be followed by a joint press statement.
The two leaders will discuss on wide range of issues relating to mutual interests including economic cooperation, political relations, trade and investment, labour migration, education, technology, infrastructure development and defense collaboration.
The two leaders will also have a one-to-one meeting before the bilateral talks. Prof Yunus will also host high tea in honour of the Malaysian prime minister.
Malaysia is going to be the next chair of ASEAN from January 2025. During the meeting, Bangladesh is expected to seek Malaysia’s support in addressing the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis. In addition, the issue of Bangladesh to become a “Sectoral Dialogue Partner” in ASEAN in terms of regional cooperation will also be specially raised.
According to the programme schedule, the Malaysian premier will call on President Mohammed Shahbuddin at Bangabhaban.
Wrapping up his one day visit, the Malaysian Prime Minister will leave Dhaka at around 6PM.