Official visit of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to Malaysia opens doors in trade, investment, education, and Halal industry.
Kuala Lumpur, August 11–13, 2025 — Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has made a three-day official visit to Malaysia, solidifying the decades-old friendship between both countries and unlocking new areas of strategic collaboration. The visit, which was at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was highlighted by top-level meetings, bilateral agreements, business forums, and cultural exchanges.
Official Welcome and Bilateral Discussions
Professor Yunus and his delegation received a red-carpet welcome, complete with an inspection of honor by the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Professor Yunus led bilateral as well as closed-door sessions between their respective delegations, which were reportedly friendly and constructive.
The talks touched on many of the major areas:
PM Anwar acknowledged Bangladesh’s consistent support for humanitarian efforts, particularly concerning Rohingya refugees, while both sides explored ways to deepen strategic cooperation for mutual benefit.
Milestones in Bilateral Cooperation
Five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and three notes of cooperation in defense, LNG and energy cooperation, higher education, halal ecosystems, and cooperation between research institutions and business communities were inked between Bangladesh and Malaysia during the visit. These understandings are expected to expand economic and strategic partnerships, allow for knowledge sharing, and enhance people-to-people relationships.
Engaging the Business Community
Professor Yunus spoke to Malaysian business leaders, calling for investment in Bangladesh's low-cost housing, ports, healthcare, education, renewable energy, and agro-processing industries. Top leaders such as Jeffrey Cheah (Sunway Group) and Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary (Proton & MMC Corporation) showed keen interest in participating in the development of Bangladesh.
During a business forum, Professor Yunus referred to Bangladesh's young and talented human resource and called on Malaysian companies, including Axiata, to invest in 5G services and data centers, referring to business-friendly reforms by the government.
Halal Industry and Trade Initiatives
Bangladesh sought Malaysia's assistance in developing a halal industrial park with the aim of tapping into the rapidly expanding global halal market valued at USD 3 trillion with prospects of reaching USD 5 trillion by 2030. Malaysian delegates like Datin Paduka Hajah Hakimah binti Mohd Yusoff and JAKIM Director General Sirajuddin Bin Suhaimee shared Malaysia's experience of having multiple functional halal industrial parks and offered technical guidance on Bangladesh's infrastructure and certification systems.
Education and Graduate Plus Visa
Professor Yunus discussed with Malaysian education authorities the possibility of offering Graduate Plus visas to Bangladeshi students to allow them to gain high-skilled jobs. The session also touched on more scholarships, student/faculty exchange programs, and official recognition of Bangladeshi degrees. Malaysia hosts around 10,000 Bangladeshi students, who will now have better access to opportunities in the country.
Expatriate Welfare and Voting Rights
Speaking to Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia, Professor Yunus highlighted their vital role in the economy of Bangladesh. He reassured that the government is taking steps to provide expatriates with their voting rights in future elections, while projects like "Nagarik Sheba Bangladesh" and a dedicated app are being undertaken to reach out to overseas Bangladeshis and make accessing services easier.
Rohingya Crisis Involvement
Bangladesh High Representative on the Rohingya Matter, Dr Khalilur Rahman, was called by ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim, and they discussed the current situation in Myanmar as well as planned stakeholder discussions in Cox's Bazar (25 August) and the UN International Conference (30 September). The two representatives emphasized collaboration in extending sustainable humanitarian support to Rohingyas.
Strengthening Strategic Relationships
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the visit as a step towards strengthening Malaysia-Bangladesh relations, based on mutual respect, trust, and a desire for regional peace and prosperity. The visit was a landmark in diplomatic and economic relations, with focus on cooperation in defense, energy, trade, halal industries, education, and people-to-people exchange.
Professor Yunus's visit to Malaysia not only marked friendship and collaboration but also highlighted the common vision of sustainable development, human capital development, and regional stability, paving the way for a new era in Bangladesh-Malaysia strategic cooperation.
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