Putrajaya: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today hosted an official luncheon in honour of the visiting Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus. Anwar and Yunus, who arrived together in the same car at 11.32 am, were greeted with ‘Welcome to Malaysia’ chants by students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 8 (1), while a group of dancers from Istana Budaya performed the Tingkah MADANI dance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, earlier in the day, Yunus was accorded an official welcome at Perdana Putra, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar. Yunus and his official delegation arrived in Malaysia yesterday for a three-day official visit, at the invitation of Anwar.

Yunus’s visit, accompanied by several advisers and senior government officials, reciprocates Anwar’s official trip to Bangladesh in October 2024. In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh reached RM13.35 billion (US$2.92 billion), an increase of 5.1 per cent compared with 2023.

Bangladesh is Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner and export destination in South Asia. Major Malaysian exports to Bangladesh include petroleum products, palm oil and chemicals, while imports comprise textiles, footwear, petroleum products and manufactures.

The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster stronger cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, building upon the strong foundation established since diplomatic ties were forged in 1972.