Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury on Tuesday said Malaysia reopened its labour market for Bangladeshi workers from Monday following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to the country.
The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at the Sylhet Circuit House.
He also expressed hope that more overseas job markets will gradually become available.
Responding to a question on overseas employment, Ariful said the government has been in continuous discussions with different countries to create new labour markets and expand existing ones.
"As part of those efforts, Malaysia reopened its labour market on Monday. We are hopeful that labour markets in other countries will also be opened gradually," he said.
During the meeting, the minister and the US ambassador discussed the overall development of Sylhet, the contribution of Bangladeshis living in the United States – particularly expatriates from Sylhet – as well as ways to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and other issues of mutual interest.
Ariful said Bangladesh and the US have long enjoyed friendly bilateral relations and are working closely to make the ties stronger and more productive.
He expressed hope that such exchanges will further enhance bilateral friendship, economic cooperation and mutual development.