PM urges Malaysia to reopen labour market

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday has urged the Malaysian government to reopen its labour market as soon as possible and recruit more Bangladeshi workers.

"I requested His Excellency Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to consider recruiting more Bangladeshi workers and reopening the labour market at the earliest opportunity," he said at a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The press conference was held at the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya following summit-level talks on the second and final day of Tarique Rahman's two-day official visit to Malaysia.

Expressing his gratitude to the Malaysian prime minister, government and people for their warm hospitality, Tarique Rahman described Malaysia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh.

"Our friendship is built on mutual trust, shared values and strong people-to-people ties," he said.

The prime minister said the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and international developments.

"Today, we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-Malaysia relations. We agreed to enhance engagement through existing mechanisms, including the Joint Commission Meeting and bilateral consultations between our foreign ministries," he said.

He added that both countries welcomed the growth in bilateral trade and agreed to move forward with negotiations on a Bangladesh-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement.

Tarique Rahman said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had received a strong mandate in the February 2026 parliamentary elections and that his government had restored political stability through a democratic process.

"Our priority is to create jobs, attract foreign investment and accelerate economic growth. We are building a business-friendly environment and creating new opportunities for investors," he said.

He invited Malaysian businesses to invest in Bangladesh, saying there was strong potential for cooperation.

The prime minister said discussions also covered information and communication technology, energy, infrastructure, manpower, the halal industry, agro-processing, education, skills development, defence, the digital economy, semiconductors and other high-value sectors.

He said he had also raised issues relating to the regularisation of undocumented workers and the possible repatriation of detained Bangladeshis.

"We agree that recruitment should be transparent, fair and affordable, with fewer intermediaries and lower costs for workers," he said.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladeshi workers, students, professionals and entrepreneurs in Malaysia serve as an important bridge between the two countries and contribute significantly to both economies and societies.

He expressed deep concern for the Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh and thanked Malaysia for its continued support for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

The two leaders also discussed regional cooperation.

"Bangladesh seeks closer engagement with ASEAN and aspires to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner. We are also interested in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). I appreciate Malaysia's support for Bangladesh's regional integration efforts," he said.

Tarique Rahman said the two countries had also exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in the Middle East.

"We reaffirmed our commitment to working together in the United Nations and other international organisations. I also thank Malaysia for supporting Bangladesh's candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly," he said.

The prime minister welcomed the signing and exchange of bilateral documents, saying they would strengthen cooperation and maintain the positive momentum in bilateral relations.

"I am confident that today's discussions will open a new chapter in Bangladesh-Malaysia relations," he said.

He added that Bangladesh looked forward to working closely with Malaysia to promote shared prosperity, regional peace and a more inclusive international order.

Tarique Rahman invited Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time, saying the people of Bangladesh would be honoured to welcome him.

Reflecting on his first overseas trip since taking office in February 2026, the prime minister said one of the first congratulatory calls he received after assuming office was from Anwar Ibrahim.

"He congratulated me and invited me to visit Malaysia. My wife and I are delighted to be here on my first foreign visit as prime minister," he said.

He also recalled the visits of his father, the late President Ziaur Rahman, to Malaysia in April 1979 and his mother, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, in 1993, saying both visits had helped deepen bilateral ties and expand cooperation between the two countries.