SEPANG: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman departed for China on Monday (June 22) after concluding a two-day official visit to Malaysia.
The special aircraft carrying Tarique and his entourage took off from the Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here.
He was accorded a ceremonial send-off, which included a guard of honour comprising 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment, before departing at 5pm.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan was present to bid farewell to Tarique, his spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman and the Bangladeshi delegation.
Earlier on Monday, Tarique and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reviewed regional and international issues of mutual interest during a bilateral meeting at the Perdana Putra Complex.
Both leaders explored opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, human resource management, semiconductors, energy, agriculture and education.
Following the meeting, Tarique and Anwar also witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation, as well as two Exchanges of Notes (EoN) in counter-terrorism research and investment promotion and facilitation.
Among the commitments made during the visit was the need to strengthen bilateral economic relations through a fast-track free trade agreement (FTA) and enhanced cooperation in key growth sectors, including energy and the halal industry.
Tarique also reiterated Bangladesh’s aspiration to become an Asean Sectoral Dialogue Partner and its interest in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
On global issues, both leaders shared common positions on key international matters, including support for the Palestinian cause, concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, efforts to ensure lasting peace in the Gulf region and Iran, and the need for a just and sustainable resolution to ongoing conflicts.
Malaysia and Bangladesh also agreed to strengthen cooperation through Asean mechanisms to find a lasting solution to the longstanding Rohingya refugee issue, including engagement with Myanmar authorities.
Tarique arrived on Sunday (June 21) night for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Anwar, marking his first bilateral official visit abroad since assuming office in February 2026.
Bangladesh was Malaysia’s 28th-largest trading partner globally in 2025 and its second-largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports in South Asia after India.
In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh amounted to RM12.18bil (US$2.84bil). Malaysia’s exports to Bangladesh were valued at RM10.08bil (US$2.35bil), with petroleum products constituting the principal export.
Imports from Bangladesh amounted to RM2.10bil (US$50mil), comprising mainly textiles, apparel and footwear. – Bernama
