Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim has said she is optimistic that Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur would soon sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost bilateral trade. While delivering her keynote speech at Cosmos Foundation’s virtual dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Malaysia Relations: Prognosis for the Future”, she also said trade and investment may determine the future course of relations between the two nations. Apart from FTA, the high commissioner said the potential areas of future collaboration are “definitely in the areas of digital economy”. “What is even more important for both countries [is] to enhance the bilateral relations on areas such as trade and investment, which may determine the direction of the relations in the next decade or so. In this regard, again, it is my hope that a FTA will be concluded between Malaysia and Bangladesh,” she said. Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue that premiered on Thursday evening. The opening remarks were delivered by Cosmos Foundation Executive Director Nahar Khan.

Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Chair of ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC) Haznah Md Hashim has highlighted the critical role of governments towards finding a sustainable solution to the climate change issues. She said climate issues have a tremendous effect on countries all over the world, particularly those from the emerging economies. "Therefore, a collective effort, in not just ASEAN but also countries like Bangladesh, is needed to ensure governments meet its obligation under the Paris Agreement," said the High Commissioner.   She was addressing a webinar on "Climate Change" on Thursday initiated by the High Commission of Malaysia to explore ideas and views as well as sharing of best practices on climate change. Also read: Climate emergency demands policy shift to adaptation: Global leaders on COP26 Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Water, Malaysia (KASA) Dr Zaini Ujang and Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh, Md Mostafa Kamal were present as the chief guests. Haji Haris Haji Othman, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam; Aung Kyaw Moe, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; Pham Viet Chien, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; Makawadee Sumitmor, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand; Hidayat Atjeh, Chargé d' Affaires of the Republic of Indonesia; Leo Marco C Vidal, Chargé d' Affaires of the Republic of the Philippines; Sheela Pillai, Head of Mission of the Singapore Consulate; senior officials, diplomats and experts from Bangladesh and ASEAN Member States. The ADC was established in the year 2014 and is comprised of eight ASEAN Missions based in Dhaka. Also read: UK Foreign Secretary reaffirms support for Bangladesh’s climate actions They are the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, High Commission of Malaysia, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Embassy of Republic of the Philippines, Consulate of the Republic of Singapore, Embassy of the Royal Thai Embassy, and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The ADC chair is rotated every six months and is currently being chaired by Malaysia.

Dhaka has urged Kuala Lumpur to do the needful for bringing back the stranded Bangladeshi workers to their old and new places of work in Malaysia on humanitarian grounds. 

Malaysian acting High Commissioner to Bangladesh Amir Farid Abu Hasan has said Malaysia will be able to play its role as an influential “middle power” that is friendly to all nations with a good foreign and domestic policy in place.