Migration, investment to be major focus in Yunus-Ibrahim meet

Migration of Bangladeshi workers for employment in Malaysia and investment in Bangladesh will feature a discussion between Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, officials said Sunday.

The head of interim government of Bangladesh would fly to Malaysia today (Monday) on a three-day visit at the invitation of Mr Anwar Ibrahim. On August 12, Dr Yunus will have a bilateral meeting with Mr Ibrahim at the latter's office in Putrajaya.

Following the one-on-one meeting, there will be delegation-level talks to be capped with the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs).

Officials said that during the bilateral meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister, special emphasis would be placed on issues such as the recruitment of new workers in various Malaysian sectors, increased hiring of skilled professionals, and improving the benefits and facilities available to Bangladeshi workers.

While briefing the press about the visit, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, "This is a very important visit, and through this visit, we aim to deepen and further strengthen our relationship with Malaysia. The main focus of the visit is discussions on migration, and the second focus is investment."

The Press Secretary mentions that Malaysia is a very important country for Bangladesh's manpower sector. "We can take our migration sector to a stage where Malaysia takes the maximum number of manpower from us. There will be discussions on these issues, and agreements will be signed in the light of those discussions," he said.

Malaysia last year halted manpower recruitment from Bangladesh and some other countries, over certain issues.

Asked whether there will be any breakthrough in this regard during this visit, the press secretary said this can be only known after the meeting.

Presently, over one million Bangladeshis are working in Malaysia, and some of them considered unauthorised now.

There will be discussions whether they could be regularised.

He said Bangladesh will seek investment from Malaysia in deep-sea fishing and electric-vehicle manufacturing.

"Malaysian carmaker Proton has a presence in Bangladesh and since they have the expertise in manufacturing electric vehicle, we will request them to invest in EV sector here," said Mr Alam.

The Press Secretary said that the Chief Adviser would also hold talks with the chief executives of Malaysia's major companies.

Shafiqul Alam further said that on August 12, there will be a business conference. On August 13, the Chief Adviser will be conferred upon an honorary degree by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). "We expect Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to be present at the ceremony," he added. On August 12, there will also be a bilateral meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister, which, he said, is "extremely important." "We hope our excellent relations with Malaysia will reach a new height," he said.

Director-General of the Public Diplomacy Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shah Asif Rahman said the CA would be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fowzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy for International Affairs to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiq, Executive Chairman of BIDA Chowdhury Ashik Bin Harun and senior officials from various ministries.

The Chief Adviser will be welcomed with a Guard of Honour, where Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will receive him.

The MoUs expected to be signed include defence cooperation, energy-sector cooperation and establishment of a Business Council between FBCCI and MCCI.

Besides, a cooperation agreement between BMCCI and MIMO, and a cooperation agreement between the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Malaysia's Institute of International and Strategic Studies will be signed during the tour.

In addition, three notes of exchange are likely to be inked in the areas of halal ecosystem, higher education, and cooperation between the diplomatic training academies of the two countries. The two heads of government are expected to be present at the signing and exchange ceremonies.

Shah Asif Rahman said that after the bilateral meeting, there will be a joint press conference and a state luncheon in honour of the Chief Adviser. On the same afternoon, the Chief Adviser will attend a business forum, and afterwards, he is expected to participate in an exchange meeting with the Bangladeshi expatriate community living in Malaysia.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com