Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Bangladesh today finalized eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements to enhance bilateral ties across sectors such as defence, energy, higher education, diplomacy, halal development, and private sector collaboration. This significant development was marked by a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus during his official visit to Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, one of the primary documents exchanged was the MoU on Defence Cooperation, signed by Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. Additionally, an MoU focusing on the supply and infrastructure of liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, and related facilities was signed by Minister of Finance II and Acting Minister of Economy Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Bangladesh Adviser for Road Transport and Bridges, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Railways M Fouzul Kabir Khan.
Further agreements included the Exchange of Notes on Cooperation in Higher Education and on Training for Diplomats, signed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan with Bangladesh’s Dr Asif Nazrul and Md Touhid Hossain. Cooperation in the halal sector was formalized through an Exchange of Note between Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Harun.
In strategic research, an MoU was established between the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. From the business sector, MoUs were concluded between MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd and the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), as well as between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).
The visit by Yunus represents a key step in fortifying Malaysia-Bangladesh relations, with both nations committed to enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, human capital development, and cultural exchange. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on a three-day official visit, received an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex.
In 2024, trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh increased by 5.1 per cent to RM13.35 billion (USD2.92 billion). Bangladesh is Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner and export destination in South Asia, with major exports including petroleum products, palm oil, and chemicals, while imports mainly consist of textiles, footwear, petroleum products, and manufactured goods.