Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim to Arrive in Dhaka on Friday

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to make a brief visit to Bangladesh on October 4 (Friday), aimed at elevating bilateral relations by exploring new avenues of cooperation and strengthening ties across various sectors.

He is visiting at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, according to an official source.

In August, Prof Yunus extended the invitation, encouraging the Malaysian Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh as soon as possible to deepen the strong brotherly relations between the two nations.

"The visit is confirmed as of today," a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, noting that Anwar Ibrahim’s stay in Dhaka is expected to last only a few hours.

Malaysia is currently the 8th largest investor in Bangladesh, the official added.

"In addition to manpower discussions, other ongoing collaborations and potential areas of cooperation will be on the agenda," the official noted.

During his visit, the Malaysian Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, along with a few other engagements in Dhaka.

Back in August, the Malaysian leader personally called Prof Yunus, a long-time friend, to congratulate him on his recent appointment as the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus has maintained strong ties with Malaysia for many years.

"I assured him that Malaysia stands ready to support the interim government in restoring peace and stability in Bangladesh," said the Malaysian Prime Minister.

As Malaysia prepares to assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in January 2025, the Rohingya refugee crisis will also be a key topic of discussion during the visit, according to the Foreign Ministry official.

At least seven Malaysian universities have established Yunus Centres, promoting the social business ideas and the 'three-zero' concepts championed by Prof Yunus.

Malaysian companies, including several backed by its sovereign funds, have invested over $5 billion in Bangladesh and are now exploring further opportunities, particularly in the education sector.

In addition, a second Malaysian car manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chattogram-based company for the distribution and assembly of vehicles in Bangladesh.

Malaysia has also positioned itself as a preferred destination for medical tourism, offering affordable healthcare services to Bangladeshis seeking essential medical treatments.