Trade Body Seeks To Broaden Malaysia-Bangladesh Economic Ties

By Shakir Husain

HYDERABAD, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- A Dhaka-based trade body will organise a business seminar to explore ways to broaden the Malaysia-Bangladesh economic partnership.

"We will hold this seminar next month before the expected visit of a Malaysian team to advance the free trade agreement (FTA) the two countries are discussing," Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) president Mohammad Anwar Shahid told Bernama.

"We will discuss how we can expand the relationship. It should be more than import-export trade or Bangladesh being seen merely as a source of manpower," he said.

The BMCCI is also looking at joint initiatives with Malaysian tourism industry associations to promote Bangladesh as a holiday destination.

"Our main priorities are to develop a halal ecosystem, improve skills and training, and promote tourism," Anwar Shahid said in a phone interview from Kuala Lumpur, where his trade body is participating in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) industry fair.

Bangladesh's presence at the September 23-26 event at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) includes a 19-member BMCCI team and another 39-member delegation of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Bangladesh is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner in South Asia, with total trade in 2025 valued at RM12.18 billion.

Malaysia and Bangladesh aim to conclude an FTA in 2027, according to a joint statement issued during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Malaysia in June.

-- BERNAMA