PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Bangladesh have agreed to fast-track free trade talks and to jointly press Myanmar over the ongoing Rohingya issue using existing Asean mechanisms, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said both sides would accelerate negotiations on the free trade agreement (FTA) and build a comprehensive partnership that would go beyond trade.
“(This is) to enhance comprehensive partnership in all fields, not just trade and investment, but also research, science, new technology, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, as these are our challenges for the future,” he said, after bilateral talks with visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Anwar said bilateral trade worth about RM12.18bil last year, should expand beyond agriculture into semiconductors, the digital economy, energy and advanced manufacturing.
He said meetings had also been arranged on cooperation between PETRONAS and Petrobangla, including on liquified natural gas (LNG) as well as on the halal industry, education, culture and tourism.
On the issue of Rohingya, the Prime Minister said Malaysia and Bangladesh would work through their foreign ministers and Asean mechanisms to engage Myanmar.
“Through our common effort, we will work to resolve the predicament of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and also here.”
Bangladesh hosts about one million Rohingya in camps around Cox’s Bazar, where most fled a military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine state over the recent years.
Malaysia is also home to a large Rohingya population, most of whom are undocumented.
Critics have said Asean’s main framework on Myanmar – the Five-Point Consensus, adopted after the 2021 coup, has made little progress.
Tarique, who expressed concerns over Rohingya sheltering in Bangladesh, thanked Malaysia for its continued support for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation.
He also said Bangladesh is seeking to become an Asean dialogue partner.
“Bangladesh seeks closer engagement with Asean and we are also interested in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).”
Tarique said his government’s priority was to create jobs and attract investment and that it was building a business-friendly environment for investors.
“I see strong potential for Malaysian investment in Bangladesh,” he said.
Three agreements were signed between the two countries in conjunction with the visit; an Exchange of Note on Counter Terrorism Research; an Exchange of Note in the Field of Investment Promotion and Facilitation and an Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation.
