President seeks Malaysian support for manpower export

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has sought support of the Malaysian government to recruit more skilled and nonskilled manpower from Bangladesh.

The President raised the labour export issue as the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was on a six-hour visit to Dhaka, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Friday.

The President also called upon the Malaysian government to provide all-out cooperation in the 'economic reform' programme of the current Interim Government.

They exchanged views on various issues of bilateral interest, especially trade, investment, economic, technical cooperation, Rohingya issue and labor market, reports a press release.

The President said Malaysia is the second largest destination for Bangladesh's manpower export and Bangladesh’s manpower is playing an important role in the economic development of the both countries.

BSS Adds: He said, cooperation and partnership between Bangladesh and Malaysia in various sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, human resources, communication, culture, tourism and education have been increasing since last 53 years.

Congratulating Malaysia as the next chair of ASEAN, the President expressed hope that ASEAN would fully contribute to regional peace, security, regional trade and investment growth under Malaysia's able leadership.

He called for support for Bangladesh's candidature as the ASEAN's 'Sectoral Dialogue Partner'.

The President said the visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to Bangladesh will be a ‘milestone’ in the development of the relationship between the two friendly countries and it will take the bilateral ties to a new height.

President Shahabuddin put emphasis on making the labour force's access to Malaysia transparent and easy in the greater interest of the two nations.

Malaysian premier assured Bangladesh President of providing necessary support for implementing various reform programmes of the Interim Government.

In the meeting, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Utama Haji Mohammad Haji Hassan, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Utama Zafrul Tengu Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Haji Hasbi Haji Habibollah and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, secretaries concerned and Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

On Bangladesh Side, Foreign Ministry Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Advisor to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul and secretaries concerned were present on the occasion.

As the Malaysian Prime Minister arrived at Bangabhaban, President Shahabuddin greeted him with a bouquet of flowers.

Later, the Malaysian Premier signed the visitors’ book.