Anwar Ibrahim hosts luncheon for visiting Bangladesh chief adviser
Anwar and Yunus, who arrived together at 11.32am, were greeted with 'Welcome to Malaysia' chants by students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 8(1), while a group of dancers from Istana Budaya performed the Tingkah Madani dance.
Also in attendance were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
Earlier, Yunus was accorded an official welcome at Perdana Putra, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar.
Yunus and his official delegation arrived in Malaysia on Monday (Aug 11) for a three-day official visit, at the invitation of Anwar.
According to a statement issued by Wisma Putra, Yunus's visit, accompanied by several advisers and senior government officials, reciprocates Anwar's official trip to Bangladesh in October 2024.
In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh reached RM13.35bil (US$2.92bil), an increase of 5.1% compared with 2023.
Bangladesh is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner and export destination in South Asia. Major Malaysian exports to Bangladesh include petroleum products, palm oil and chemicals, while imports comprise textiles, footwear, petroleum products and manufactures.
The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster stronger cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, building upon the strong foundation established since diplomatic ties were forged in 1972. — Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Luxury properties thrive as affordability sinks
Picture an average Malaysian drowning in bills and rising costs, yet a simple glance at the Kuala Lumpur skyline reveals cranes gleaming hard at work, building brand-new, dazzling condominiums with million-ringgit price tags. Malaysia has a real estate paradox and it does not get more obvious than that. While an affordability crisis deepens for ordinary citizens, the high-end property sector continues to thrive. This contradiction raises questions about what drives such a phenomenon.

Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Ipoh Sentral Reflects Advancement Rooted In Long-Term Vision
IPOH, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The development of Ipoh Sentral is set to become a new iconic landmark in the heart of Ipoh city, reflecting advancement rooted in a long-term vision, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said the large-scale project, fully driven by the private sector through a strategic collaboration between Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) and Railway Assets Corporation (RAC), involves a total Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM6.25 billion. In his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ipoh Sentral Development project this evening, the Prime Minister expressed hope that Ipoh Sentral would serve as the best example of development, grounded in MADANI values.


The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Thai lawmakers pass massive US$117bil budget to revive economy
Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (Bloomberg): Thailand's lower house of parliament passed a 3.78 trillion baht (US$117 billion) annual budget, needed to support a fragile economy that's at risk from issues ranging from the impact of higher US tariffs to a downturn in tourism. The budget bill for the year starting Oct 1 was backed by 257 lawmakers in the 500-member House of Representatives late Friday, following a three-day debate. A total of 229 members opposed the spending plan. The vote will be a relief to investors in the Southeast Asian nation, by avoiding a repeat of the months-long deadlock over spending plans seen in 2019. The country faces a litany of problems, including political instability linked to the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra; continued tensions with Cambodia which recently erupted into violent clashes; and a stiff 19% tariff on shipments to the US, Thailand's biggest export destination. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira thanked the house for approving the budget and said the government will ensure the spending is efficient, transparent and delivers maximum benefit to the people. "I would like to assure that the policies, measures, and budget approved will be implemented in accordance with the designated objectives and plans,' Pichai said in a post on X. The government has defended a marginal increase in spending for the year starting October, and a projected budget deficit of 860 billion baht ($27 billion), or 4.3% of gross domestic product. Officials say the outlays are necessary given the increased risks to the economy from global trade uncertainties. The Senate will review the budget on Aug. 25-26, but analysts expect the spending plan to take effect on Oct. 1 as planned. The Constitutional Court will rule on Aug. 29 whether to disqualify Paetongtarn, amid allegations that she breached ethical standards in handling a border dispute with Cambodia. "Put together, these developments increase the odds that the 2026 budget could be passed before the conclusion of Paetongtarn's case, thereby removing the most significant headwind to growth as a result of the ongoing political crisis,' Citi Research said in a note to investors this week. More support is coming for the economy. The Bank of Thailand on Wednesday cut its policy rate for the fourth time since October to the lowest level in more than two years to ease the burden for vulnerable groups. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.