Bangladesh is set to make a strong push for membership in the world’s largest free trade bloc as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman begins his first official foreign tour since taking office, with regional economic integration, labour migration and investment cooperation dominating the agenda of his visit to Malaysia.
Officials say Dhaka will use the visit to seek support from Malaysia and other Asean member states for Bangladesh’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and eventually join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a mega trade bloc that accounts for nearly one-third of global trade and economic output.
The move comes as Bangladesh prepares for its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and looks to secure broader market access, attract investment and strengthen economic ties across Asia.
“Bangladesh’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of Asean and join RCEP will be strongly highlighted,” Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim before travelling to China for high-level bilateral talks and participation in the Summer Davos Forum.
Foreign ministry officials said the Malaysia leg of the visit is expected to focus on expanding trade and investment, strengthening labour market cooperation, deepening energy ties and enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
A key issue for Bangladesh will be the recruitment of additional workers and professionals in Malaysia, alongside efforts to improve welfare, facilities and employment opportunities for Bangladeshi migrants already working there.
The two sides are also expected to discuss cooperation in the halal economy, semiconductor manufacturing, agriculture, education and people-to-people connectivity.
Officials said a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation is expected to be signed during the visit.
Bangladesh and Malaysia are also likely to exchange a Terms of Reference document to formally begin negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
Beyond economic issues, Dhaka will urge Malaysia and other Asean countries to play a more active role in resolving the Rohingya crisis and supporting the safe repatriation of displaced Myanmar nationals currently sheltered in Bangladesh.
The prime minister is scheduled to hold a private meeting with his Malaysian counterpart in Putrajaya, followed by delegation-level talks covering a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.
Government officials view the visit as an important diplomatic opportunity to elevate relations with Malaysia while advancing Bangladesh’s broader strategy of integrating more deeply with Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing economic architecture.
After concluding the Malaysia visit, Tarique will travel to China, where discussions are expected to focus on trade, investment, infrastructure, connectivity and regional cooperation.
Officials believe the twin visits will serve as a major test of the new government’s economic diplomacy and its efforts to secure new markets, investment flows and strategic partnerships at a time of growing global economic uncertainty.
