Dhaka, 08 January 2021:

The Newly appointed Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ms. Hazanah Md. Hasim yesterday called on the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, at the latter’s office. The State Minister congratulated the High Commissioner on her appointment in Dhaka and assured her of all-out cooperation during her assignment in Dhaka.

Md. Shahriar Alam said that Malaysia is Bangladesh’s trusted friend and partner with which Bangladesh enjoys strong bilateral relations since independence. A considerable number of Bangladeshi workers and professionals are living in Malaysia and contributing immensely to both of our economies. The State Minister noted that Malaysia is an advanced economy and a development hub in the Asia Pacific region and doing remarkably well amidst of Covid-19 pandemic. He added that Bangladesh and Malaysia have huge potentials to extend and diversify partnership in various sectors including science-technology, healthcare, education, trade, tourism, energy etc. Referring to the recent trend in bilateral trade between the two countries, the State Minister underscored the necessity of new initiatives. He also suggested that Malaysia might consider widening its tariff concession for greater market access of Bangladeshi products.

Referring to the recalibration program for regularization and voluntary repatriation of migrant workers, the State Minister expressed gratitude for standing beside Bangladeshi expatriates during the current Covid-19 pandemic.  He also requested the Malaysian Government to do the needful for bringing back the stranded Bangladeshi workers to their old and new place of work in Malaysia on humanitarian ground. He requested to extend all kinds of cooperation to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and to bring a solution to the current migrant’s issue.

The High Commissioner assured to take the return of the workers and students issue with her capital and hoped that these issues would be dissolved soon.

State Minister Md. Shahriar Alam thanked Malaysia for the strong political support and also for humanitarian support in favour of Rohingyas and sought a pro-active role from both ASEAN and Malaysia on the repatriation issue. He appreciated the establishment and continuation of the Field Hospital at Cox’s Bazar to the service of the Rohingyas.