DHAKA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived in Bangladesh for an official visit aimed at strengthening ties between Malaysia and Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister's aircraft landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2pm local time (4pm Malaysian time).
Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, welcomed Anwar upon his arrival, alongside other advisors, senior officials of the Bangladesh government, and Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Haznah Md Hashim.
Anwar received a red carpet welcome featuring a 19-gun salute and a guard of honour by members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
The visit follows Anwar's three-day state visit to Pakistan and includes a bilateral meeting with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to discuss ways to strengthen diplomatic relations and foster friendship between Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Anwar is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin before departing for Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Oct 4).
Earlier, Haznah said, at a press conference, that this is the first visit by the head of a foreign government since the formation of the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus.
"This visit echoes history, as Malaysia was the first Muslim country to recognise Bangladesh’s independence on Jan 31, 1972," she said.
During the visit, Anwar is accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan, International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Transport Deputy Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
In 2023, Bangladesh was Malaysia’s 27th largest trading partner, 19th largest export destination, and 47th largest source of imports, making it Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner among South Asian countries.
Last year, total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh reached RM12.7bil (US$2.78bil). – Bernama
