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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: A delegation from the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia has held a series of meetings with government officials and business representatives in Sabah to explore opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation, trade and investment between Bangladesh and the Malaysian state.
The discussions covered agriculture, food security, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, tourism, education and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with both sides exploring ways to strengthen institutional links, exchange expertise and create new business opportunities.
On Thursday, October 8, a delegation led by Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner met separately with Sabah State Secretary, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister YB Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI), and the head of the Sabah Pharmaceutical Society.
Agriculture and food security featured prominently in the discussions. The two sides explored cooperation in developing high-yield rice varieties, exchanging agricultural technology and expertise, expanding fisheries and aquaculture, promoting deep-sea fishing and developing the blue economy.
They also discussed the potential for applying Bangladesh’s experience and technological advances in rice cultivation in Sabah, alongside joint initiatives in skills development and institutional capacity building.
Facilitating visits to Sabah by Bangladeshi businesspeople, professionals, academics and tourists was another key issue. Participants emphasised closer coordination among relevant authorities to make travel easier and encourage greater professional, commercial and people-to-people exchanges.
The delegation also discussed stronger links between the business communities and trade organisations of Bangladesh and Sabah, including the exchange of business delegations and efforts to expand trade and investment.
In the pharmaceutical sector, discussions focused on manufacturing, technology and skills transfer, and opportunities to develop commercial and institutional partnerships.
Education and tourism were also identified as promising areas for cooperation, with participants highlighting the potential for academic exchanges, skills development and closer people-to-people connections.
In a separate meeting, the Bangladesh High Commission delegation met representatives of the Sabah SME Association to explore closer cooperation between Bangladesh’s SME Foundation and the Malaysian association.
The discussions covered establishing institutional links, sharing expertise and best business practices, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening business capacity, exchanging delegations and pursuing joint initiatives.
Both sides expressed optimism that closer cooperation could help small and medium-sized enterprises in Bangladesh and Sabah build stronger commercial relationships and access new business opportunities.
The latest engagements follow discussions held in August between Bangladesh High Commissioner and Sabah Governor Tun Datuk Seri Panglima (Dr) Musa bin Haji Aman, and Sabah Chief Minister YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Noor.
The meetings form part of broader diplomatic efforts to deepen Bangladesh-Malaysia relations and promote mutually beneficial cooperation at the state level, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and collaboration across key economic sectors.
