Malaysian High Commissioner in Dhaka Haznah Md Hashim said the potential Malaysia-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is promising to further strengthen trade between the friendly nations.
“A Malaysia-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would augur well for our businesses, and prepare our economies for whatever challenges that lay ahead,” she said in a statement issued by the Malaysia High Commission, marking the Malaysian National Day set to be observed on August 31.
On 31 August in 1957, Malaya (which is now Malaysia), was proclaimed independent from the United Kingdom by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first prime minister of Malaysia.
The high commissioner said Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka have maintained a robust trade relation as Bangladesh is Malaysia's 19th largest trading partner, and ranked second among South Asian nations.
During the formation of Bangladesh's Interim Government, the envoy said, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was among the earliest Head of Government who congratulated Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on his appointment as the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh.
Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s readiness to help and support the new Government of Bangladesh, said the high commissioner. The envoy welcomed Bangladeshi tourists to continue to visit Malaysia, not only for leisure but also for medical tourism.
Malaysia offers advanced medical facilities and skilled healthcare at a very affordable cost, she said.
The high commissioner noted that Malaysia has also emerged as an educational hub, attracting students from Bangladesh who seek world-class education in a diverse and inclusive environment.
“I am also proud to reiterate that Malaysia was the first Muslim nation to recognise Bangladesh as a sovereign nation with the formal establishment of diplomatic relations on 31 January 1972,” she said.
Since then, the high commissioner said, “Brotherly relations have been maintained and developed that people of the two countries enjoy today.”
