Kuala lumpur: Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh Dr Muhammad Yunus has returned home after concluding a three-day official visit to Malaysia, invited by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The send-off ceremony at the Bunga Raya Complex included a guard of honour by the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment and was led by Captain Muhammad Asyraf Zulkifli. Dr. Yunus’s commercial aircraft departed for Bangladesh at 7.24 pm.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail presented Dr. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, with a commemorative photo album to mark the occasion. During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anwar, Dr. Yunus expressed gratitude for Malaysia’s ongoing support and hospitality towards Bangladeshi workers.

The visit led to the signing of eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements between Malaysia and Bangladesh, focusing on enhancing cooperation in defence, energy, higher education, diplomacy, halal development, and the private sector. In 2024, trade between the two nations reached RM13.35 billion (USD2.92 billion), marking a 5.1 percent increase from 2023.

Bangladesh stands as Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner and export destination in South Asia. Key Malaysian exports include petroleum products, palm oil, and chemicals, while imports from Bangladesh mainly consist of textiles, footwear, petroleum products, and other manufactured goods. The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972.