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negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

They will also seek to advance the implementation of five MoUs and three notes signed during former chief adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ visit to Malaysia in August last year.

Those cover higher education, diplomatic training, halal ecosystem, defence cooperation, energy, strategic studies, private-sector collaboration, and trade and industry.

“Dhaka will seek to reopen the Malaysian labour market, a more transparent recruitment system, and regularising the workers who became undocumented because of recruitment irregularities,” an official of the expatriates’ welfare ministry told The Daily Star.

Dhaka will also raise the issue of Bangladeshis who obtained valid visas but were unable to travel before Malaysia closed its labour market on May 31, 2024, he said.

Malaysia shut the labour market amid allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process and abuses.

About 8 lakh Bangladeshi migrants currently work in Malaysia. However, there is a large number of undocumented workers.

Shameem Ahsan, former Bangladesh high commissioner to Malaysia, said labour issues have overshadowed many other areas of potential cooperation.

“It is important to recognise the contribution Bangladeshi workers make to the Malaysian economy. They could contribute even more if recruitment becomes more transparent and labour welfare is ensured,” he said.

Experts and officials say Bangladesh now wants to expand cooperation in new areas.

“There is significant scope for boosting trade and investment, including in semiconductors and halal food, education, and research, but we have not done enough beyond labour migration,” said a government official.

TRADE, INVESTMENT

Business leaders see the visit as an opportunity to deepen economic engagement between the two countries.

Anwar Shahid, president of Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), said annual bilateral trade stands at around $3.3 billion, but Bangladesh exports only about $300 million worth of goods to Malaysia. “The trade gap is huge and needs to be reduced.”

He added that the PM’s first foreign trip to Malaysia sends a positive signal to the business community.

As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status, securing FTAs with major trading partners will become increasingly important, he said. “If an MoU is signed to begin FTA negotiations, it will be very positive news.”

Officials and business leaders see considerable potential for collaboration in high-value sectors.

Malaysia is a major global semiconductor hub, accounting for an estimated 7 percent of global semiconductor trade and 13 percent of worldwide chip assembly, testing, and packaging activities.

Anwar added that Malaysia would require a growing pool of skilled workers in the sector and Bangladesh could become an important source of human resources with appropriate training and support.