Bangladesh Eyes Greater Economic Integration Through Trade, Investment Diversification
By Zufazlin Baharuddin
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Bangladesh is eyeing a move from the existing conventional trade to greater economic integration by diversifying trade, broadening investments and deepening business partnerships through business engagements.
Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monica said the country should look beyond conventional trade and explore joint ventures, technology partnerships and new investment opportunities across emerging sectors.
“There is considerable scope to combine Malaysian capital, technology and expertise with Bangladesh’s market, workforce and production capabilities.
“At the same time, Bangladeshi companies can bring their own manufacturing experience, market knowledge and expanding regional networks to the partnership,” she said in her opening remarks at the Bangladesh-Malaysia Business Networking Dinner here today.
Besides, she said the ongoing discussions towards a Malaysia–Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement, envisaged to be concluded by 2027 also provide an important opportunity to create greater predictability for businesses.
Shahanara Monica said Bangladesh’s economic base is becoming increasingly diversified.
“While ready-made garments remain an important part of our export economy, new opportunities are emerging across a wide range of sectors, including agriculture and food processing, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear, light engineering, plastics, information technology and IT-enabled services.
“This creates opportunities for Malaysian companies not only to sell to Bangladesh, but to invest in Bangladesh, produce in Bangladesh and use Bangladesh as a platform for longer-term regional business expansion,” she said.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) president Taskeen Ahmed told Bernama that Bangladesh has started engaging with Malaysian business partners to encourage them to visit and invest in the country.
“Maybe the time has come for Malaysians to come visit Bangladesh and set up their manufacturing bases in Bangladesh.
“It will not only give them a potential of 180 million people, but they also get duty-free, quota-free access,” he said, adding that Malaysian companies have invested almost US$800 million in Bangladesh to date.
He said Bangladesh wants to strengthen cooperation with Malaysia in the halal sector, including through government-to-government engagement to facilitate the adoption of Malaysian halal certification in Bangladesh.
This would help Bangladeshi manufacturers gain wider acceptance of their halal certifications globally, noting that the Malaysian halal certification is accepted internationally, he added.
From January 2025 to July 2026, Bangladesh exported approximately US$305.55 million in goods to Malaysia, while imports from Malaysia stood at approximately US$2.26 billion.
Bangladesh’s exports to Malaysia include ready-made garments, knitwear and woven garments, footwear and leather products, food and beverages, vegetables and spices.
Meanwhile Malaysia supplies Bangladesh with mineral fuels, fats and oils, iron and steel, plastics, machinery and organic chemicals, among other products.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury also attended the dinner, together with 38 members of the Bangladesh delegation.
The DCCI business delegation is on a visit to Malaysia from Sept 22 to 25.
-- BERNAMA