Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has stressed on elevating bilateral ties with Bangladesh to a "strategic level".

Saifuddin also asserted on expanding the cooperation in the area of digital economy between the two countries, during a telephonic conversation with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.

The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister dialled his Malaysian counterpart on Thursday to congratulate him on the occasion of the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties between the two friendly nations.

Both the Foreign Ministers agreed to celebrate the historic occasion in a befitting manner.

On his part, Dr Momen appreciated the Malaysian government’s decision on opening up recruitment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in all sectors.

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He also conveyed the Bangladesh government’s readiness to contribute to the economic growth and activities in Malaysia by sending more workforce through safe and regular migration channel. 

Dr Momen requested the Malaysian Foreign Minister to consider recruiting skilled IT professionals from Bangladesh.

Appreciating the supportive role of Malaysia in all fora vis-à-vis the Rohingya crisis, Dr Momen urged his Malaysian counterpart’s continued support for starting the repatriation of the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their motherland Myanmar on an expeditious basis.

He also thanked the Malaysian government for its donation of more than half a million of Covid-19 vaccines to Bangladesh.

Admiring the role of Bangladesh in sheltering the displaced Rohingyas, Saifuddin said that the whole world was grateful to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her enormous humanitarian gesture in hosting more than 1.1 million displaced people from Myanmar. 

Both the Foreign Ministers also stressed the importance of accelerating the process for an early conclusion of the proposed Free Trade Agreement for facilitating more trade and commerce between the two countries.  

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Dr Momen sought Malaysia's support in favour of Bangladesh's candidacy at various international and global fora, including the ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. 

The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to work for exchanging more high-level visits for infusing the bilateral relations with further dynamism and newer directions. 

As Dr Momen invited Saifuddin for a visit to Bangladesh on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the diplomatic ties, the latter agreed to come to Bangladesh at a time of mutual convenience. 

The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged New Year greetings during the call.