Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareque Rahman to Embark on Official Visits to Malaysia and China

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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to embark on a significant two-nation diplomatic mission beginning Sunday, departing Dhaka for Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The tour, which spans through June 26, is aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation, securing investment, and expanding economic ties across Southeast and East Asia.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam announced the itinerary during a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry on Saturday. The visit to Malaysia, scheduled for June 21–22, will focus on a range of strategic sectors, including trade, energy cooperation, the halal economy, the semiconductor industry, agriculture, and education. During his stay, Prime Minister Rahman will hold a private meeting with Prime Minister Ibrahim, followed by high-level bilateral talks between the two delegations.

Key objectives for the Malaysia visit include negotiating the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers, seeking Malaysian support for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, and exploring potential membership for Bangladesh in ASEAN. Officials indicated that the two nations are poised to sign agreements regarding cultural exchange and a free trade framework.

Following his visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Rahman will travel to the Chinese port city of Dalian on the evening of June 22 to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as the “Summer Davos.” During his time in China from June 23 to 26, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with the WEF’s president and CEO. He will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and South Korea on the sidelines of the forum.

A focal point of the China leg will be the Prime Minister’s address as a keynote speaker at a WEF session titled “Climate Leadership in a Shifting Global Landscape.” On June 24, he will participate in the opening ceremony of the 13th Annual Meeting of the New Champions before departing for Beijing.

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In Beijing, the Prime Minister’s agenda includes a high-level meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and a separate dialogue with President Xi Jinping. Discussions with Chinese leadership will cover broad bilateral, regional, and global issues, with officials anticipating the signing of 15 to 17 agreements, including 13 memorandums of understanding, two formal agreements, an action plan, and a protocol.

Beyond high-level state meetings, the Prime Minister is slated to engage with the Chinese business community at a “Bangladesh Investment Forum,” organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority. The delegation will highlight Bangladesh’s investment potential, particularly concerning the development of a dedicated Chinese Economic Zone in Bangladesh.

The visit concludes on June 26, following a meeting with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and a commemorative ceremony at Tiananmen Square. Foreign Secretary Siam expressed confidence that this dual-nation mission will open new horizons for partnership and provide a substantial boost to Bangladesh’s economic development through deepened ties with its key Asian partners.