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BMCCI seeks stronger Bangladesh–Malaysia trade, investment ties
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 17 Sep 2026, 03:20 PM
Photo: Courtesy
The Bangladesh–Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) is pursuing a coordinated programme to strengthen trade, investment and halal-sector cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia ahead of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026.
BMCCI President Md Anwar Shahid, Adviser to the Board and Chairman of the BMCCI Trade & Investment Standing Committee Sharif Shah Jamal Raz and Secretary General Syed Moinuddin Ahmed recently paid a courtesy call on Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, NDC, at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The delegation discussed a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), broader trade and investment cooperation, halal certification, skills development and employment opportunities, investment in economic zones, manufacturing and emerging industries, including semiconductor backward linkages.
The meeting also focused on developing a coordinated and internationally credible halal testing and certification framework to help Bangladeshi businesses access the rapidly expanding global halal market.
The Commerce Secretary said the government is working to strengthen institutional coordination, with the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) handling testing-related matters and the Islamic Foundation overseeing certification. The government is also working to align relevant ministries and facilitating organisations, according to the BMCCI.
The chamber welcomed the initiative and stressed that an effective halal ecosystem should go beyond certification to cover international recognition, market access, investment, technology, product development and export readiness.
BMCCI said Malaysia’s expertise and institutional capacity in the halal sector could create opportunities for knowledge sharing, investment and stronger market connectivity.
The delegation also highlighted the need to attract Malaysian investors to Bangladesh’s economic zones and emerging manufacturing sectors, particularly in areas that can generate employment, facilitate technology transfer, diversify exports and create mutually beneficial industrial partnerships.
The discussions also covered skills-based education, employment-linked training and semiconductor-related backward-linkage industries.
The government-level engagement will be followed by BMCCI’s planned meetings with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and other Malaysian stakeholders during its forthcoming MIHAS engagement.
The meetings will focus on promoting bilateral trade, facilitating investment partnerships, identifying Malaysian technology and manufacturing opportunities in Bangladesh and strengthening business-to-business linkages.
The BMCCI said the Bangladesh–Malaysia economic relationship has scope to expand beyond conventional trade into investment, manufacturing, technology transfer, skills development, innovation and integration into regional and global value chains.
It said Malaysia’s strengths in investment promotion, halal-sector development, advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, logistics, financial services and skills development complement Bangladesh’s expanding industrial base, young workforce and growing domestic market.
As Bangladesh approaches its scheduled LDC graduation on 24 November 2026, BMCCI said deeper economic diplomacy and stronger institutional and private-sector cooperation would become increasingly important for securing market access, attracting quality foreign investment, diversifying exports and strengthening Bangladesh’s participation in global value chains.
BMCCI said it would continue to work as a bridge among the Bangladesh government, Malaysian institutions and the private sector to turn dialogue into concrete commercial opportunities, investment partnerships and sustainable economic value for both countries.