The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The caretaker government is determined to solve the problems of Bangladeshi Labours working in Malaysia by negotiation with Malaysian Government, Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said while inaugurating "Showcase Malaysia-2008" at a city hotel yesterday.

He said Bangladesh has earned remittance more than 700 crore from the manpower working in Malaysia and the government has taken initiative to export more manpower to Malaysia in this year.

Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) in cooperation with High Commission of Malaysia in Dhaka have organised the three-day programme from March 20 to 22.

In 2006-07 fiscal year Bangladesh exported products of $16.90 million and imported $384.16 million. In the last year Malaysia invested $1337.495 million in Bangladesh through a number of projects.

Iftekhar said, Malaysia is our development partner. So it is an excellent opportunity for businessmen of both the countries to interact directly to materialise their business deals and also explore further areas of cooperation.

Success for economic cooperation between the two countries depends on degree of compatibility of their economies. Trade and commerce occupy an important position in Bangladesh-Malaysia bilateral relations. There is ample scope for further advancement of this relation to benefit both the countries. Bangladesh offers an excellent investment opportunity for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The investor from Malaysia can make best use of this offer, he said.

Dato' Abdul Malek Bin Abdul Aziz, High Commissioner of Malaysia in Bangladesh, said, "I am sure that the showcase would definitely benefit both the countries, particularly in expanding the trade and investment relation mostly driven by the public sectors. It is my fervent hope that BMCCI would continue to explore more opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relation between the two countries."

Md Abdul Karim, Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs, was also present in the inaugural ceremony.

It may be mentioned that 39 companies including food item, furniture, universities of Bangladesh and Malaysia are participating in the showcase.