Tarique stresses reopening of labour market during meeting with Malaysian PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has requested Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to recruit more Bangladeshi workers and reopen its labour market as soon as possible.

During a joint press conference following a one-on-one meeting between the two premiers on Monday, Tarique raised the issues of regularising undocumented Bangladeshi workers and repatriating detained Bangladeshis, where possible, according to an official document.

Bangladesh and Malaysia have also agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and move forward with negotiations on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

During the event, Tarique said the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

Tarique, who is on his first foreign visit since taking office as Bangladesh’s prime minister in February, said Malaysia remains a trusted and long-standing partner of Bangladesh.

He thanked the Malaysian government and people for their hospitality.

The prime minister said the two countries agreed to enhance engagement through existing mechanisms, including the Joint Commission Meeting and bilateral consultations between their foreign ministries.

He said Bangladesh was working to create jobs, attract foreign investment and accelerate economic growth by building a business-friendly environment. Tarique invited Malaysian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh, particularly in information and communication technology, energy, infrastructure, manpower, the halal industry, agro-processing, education, skills development, defence, the digital economy and semiconductors.

The two sides agreed that worker recruitment should be transparent, fair and affordable, with fewer intermediaries and lower migration costs.

The prime minister thanked Malaysia for supporting the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh to Myanmar.

He also said Bangladesh was seeking closer engagement with ASEAN and aspired to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner. Bangladesh is also interested in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, he added.

Tarique thanked Malaysia for supporting Bangladesh’s candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He welcomed the signing and exchange of bilateral documents, saying the initiatives would strengthen cooperation and open a new chapter in Bangladesh–Malaysia relations.

Tarique invited Anwar Ibrahim and his wife to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.