Malaysian Prime Minister's trip to Bangladesh brings optimism in the aftermath of turmoil, as per CA Yunus
In October 2024, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Bangladesh had a profound impact on the nation, providing a much-needed morale boost during a challenging political period. The visit was seen as a gesture of solidarity and friendship that helped inspire confidence and hope in Bangladesh as it navigated through politically unstable times.
The visit occurred two months after the formation of the Yunus-led administration in Bangladesh, which was established to restore order following a youth-led mass uprising that ousted the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, described the political situation before Anwar's visit as chaotic and difficult, likening it to a "magnitude 9 earthquake" that left the country in disarray with anger erupting.
The news of Anwar Ibrahim's visit brought hope and a sense of encouragement to the country amidst its efforts to rebuild and recover. According to Yunus, the visit further strengthened bilateral relations and expanded cooperation in mutually beneficial areas such as trade, investment, and regional dialogue in ASEAN.
Malaysia, being well-known to the people in Bangladesh due to the presence of many Bangladeshis and their families in the country, is a major investor in Bangladesh. Key exports from Bangladesh to Malaysia include petroleum products, palm oil, and chemicals, while imports comprise textiles, footwear, petroleum products, and manufactured goods. In 2024, Malaysia-Bangladesh trade rose 5.1% to RM13.35 billion (US$2.92 billion).
During his visit, Anwar held meetings with Yunus to discuss trade, investment, labor, education, tourism, defense, and regional and international developments. Yunus also met with local leaders and prominent business figures from various sectors to advance bilateral ties between the two countries.
The bilateral ties between Malaysia and Bangladesh have been strong since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, with Malaysia being the first country to adopt the Grameen Bank model through the establishment of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia. Nobel Prize laureate Yunus made an exclusive statement to the Malaysian National News Agency Bernama, praising the visit and expressing his hope for a continued strengthening of relations between the two nations.
Yunus is the founder of the Grameen Bank, which provides microcredit services for disadvantaged groups, especially women in Bangladesh. His visit to Malaysia from August 11 to 13, 2023, was successful and well-received, marking the beginning of a fruitful period of cooperation between the two countries. Anwar's visit to Bangladesh in October 2024 made him the first foreign leader to embark on a significant visit under the Yunus-led administration, signifying the importance of the relationship between the two nations.
Read also:
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
