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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury has called for creating employment opportunities for Bangladeshi engineers in Penang, one of Malaysia’s major industrial and technology hubs.
He also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation with Penang in semiconductor skills development, the digital economy, trade, investment and tourism.
The issues were discussed during a courtesy meeting between the High Commissioner and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on September 7 at the Chief Minister’s office in the KOMTAR building, the state’s administrative centre.
The two sides exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation in the digital economy and semiconductor industry.
The High Commissioner highlighted the importance of developing skilled human resources for Bangladesh’s emerging semiconductor sector and sought the Penang state government’s support in creating employment opportunities for Bangladeshi engineers in the state’s growing semiconductor and technology industries.
Penang is one of Malaysia’s leading industrial and technology centres, with a strong presence in the electronics and semiconductor sectors. Its experience and expertise could provide valuable opportunities for Bangladesh to develop technical skills and strengthen its own high-tech industries.
The meeting also discussed establishing direct sea and air connectivity between Bangladesh and Penang to boost trade and economic ties.
The two sides particularly discussed the possibility of establishing direct shipping connectivity between Penang Port and Chattogram Port, as well as launching direct flights between Penang and Dhaka and Chattogram.
Such connectivity could facilitate cargo transportation, business, trade and investment between Bangladesh and Penang while making travel between the two sides easier.
Cooperation in tourism was also discussed, with particular emphasis on medical and health tourism.
Penang is an important destination for healthcare and medical tourism. Greater cooperation in this sector could facilitate stronger links between Bangladeshi patients and healthcare providers in Penang, while creating opportunities for institutional collaboration.
The meeting also explored ways to attract greater investment from Penang into Bangladesh and enhance economic and commercial engagement in areas of mutual interest.
Greater cooperation in semiconductors, the digital economy, trade, tourism and investment could open a new chapter in economic relations between Bangladesh and Penang.
Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh High Commission Mosammat Sahanara Monika, Bangladesh Honorary Consul in Penang Sheikh Ismail Alauddin, First Secretary (Commercial) Pranab Kumar Ghosh and Third Secretary (Political) Tanzim Hossain were present at the meeting.
For Bangladesh, stronger ties with Penang are particularly significant given the state’s strategic position in Malaysia’s semiconductor and high-tech industries. Expanded cooperation could help develop technical skills, create international employment opportunities for Bangladeshi engineers, attract investment and establish stronger direct connectivity between Bangladesh and Penang.