Bangladesh And Malaysia Have Come A Long Way In Cementing Bilateral Relations, Says High Commissioner

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) --  Bangladesh and Malaysia have come a long way in the last 53 years in cementing their bilateral relations in various areas of cooperation and partnerships, particularly in trade and investment, connectivity, human resources, education, tourism and culture, manufacturing and agriculture, said Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md. Shameem Ahsan.

In his remarks at the reception to mark the 53rd anniversary of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh on Friday, Md. Shameem said that Malaysia was the first country from the Southeast Asia region to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country (Jan 31 1972).

He also recalled the historic visit to Malaysia by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1973 which laid the foundation stone for the independent Bangladesh of its relations with Malaysia.

 Md. Shameem pointed out that the socio-economic development achieved by Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made Bangladesh an important and mutually beneficial partner for Malaysia.

“Bangladesh and Malaysia enjoy excellent bilateral relations based on our shared values, fraternity, cooperation and prosperity and historical bonds between our two peoples,” he said at the event at a hotel here.

Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim Chee Keong was the guest of honour.

The High Commissioner further said that Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur also share common views on a wide range of international issues, as the two countries are members of organisations like the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), D-8, G-77, Asean Regional Forum (ARF), and the Commonwealth.

The High Commissioner highlighted that bilateral trade between the two countries has been constantly growing over the years, with Bangladesh being the second-largest trading partner for Malaysia in South Asia.

During the financial year 2022-23 (July 2022-June 2023), two-way trade reached close to US$4 billion. Malaysia, with US$832.70 million, is the 8th largest investor in Bangladesh. A total of 386 Malaysian companies are registered and doing business in Bangladesh.

“I will urge the business community of Malaysia to take the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh and to import more quality products from Bangladesh for the benefit of the two peoples,” he said.

“Bangladesh is uniquely placed to play a pivotal role in bridging South and Southeast Asia to unlock the untapped economic opportunities, without engaging in any military alliance, and become the regional manufacturing-logistical hub in the context of sustainable global supply/value chain(s),” the High Commissioner further said.

Md. Shameem said his country was profoundly thankful to Malaysia for being the generous host of a very large Bangladesh community, which is the second largest expatriate community globally.

“Our vibrant and innovative and hard-working people have been contributing not only to the economies of the two friendly countries but also to bring peoples of the two countries much closer in the recent decades,” he said.

Noting that Bangladesh has been for years hosting 1.1 million forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals commonly known as “Rohingya refugees”, the High Commissioner said that Bangladesh deeply appreciates Malaysia’s steadfast support in the regional and international fora for an early resolution of the Rohingya crisis.

Md. Shameem said that there are reasons to speak proudly of the transformative changes and socio-economic achievements of Bangladesh during its 53-year journey as an independent nation and that  Bangladesh strides towards prosperity under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Praised globally as a "Role Model" or a "Development Miracle '', the country has achieved international acclaim in poverty alleviation, food security, women empowerment, gender parity, disaster management, and in fighting climate change and all forms of extremism,” he said.

Citing the World Bank, he pointed out that Bangladesh is now one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

“Bangladesh is now the 34th largest economy in the world. Bangladesh is now expected to be the 20th largest economy by 2037. Bangladesh has been attaining 7 per cent GDP growth on average over the last decade,” he mentioned.

“Building on the success, Bangladesh now aspires to be a Developed Country by 2041, as outlined in the Vision 2041 of the Prime Minister. Bangladesh’s stunning success has been possible through our resilience, determination and innovative and indomitable spirit. Our Prime Minister has set visions to become a Smart Bangladesh and a Developed Country by 2041,” he explained.

 Md. Shameem said Bangladesh is today no more an aid-dependent country, but the second largest exporter of  ready-made garments in the world only after China, and its agriculture-based economy is being replaced by export-oriented industrialisation and the country is gradually moving to a knowledge-based economy.

“We attained self-sufficiency in food production in the country of 170 million people. Poverty has been halved. Our per capita income has tripled to ÚS$2,824 in the last one decade. The GDP size rose to US$454 billion from a mere US$60 billion in 2006,” he said.

-- BERNAMA