Bangladesh keen on Proton's investment in car manufacturing
NEW DELHI: Proton Holdings Bhd's electric vehicle manufacturing has drawn interest from Bangladesh which is seeking to secure investment from the Malaysian national carmaker.
Attracting investment by Malaysian companies across various sectors figures prominently on the agenda of Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during his three-day Malaysia visit starting on Monday (Aug 11).
"They produce a lot of cars. During the visit, Bangladesh will invite Proton Holdings to invest here," Yunus's press secretary Shafiqul Alam said at a media briefing in Dhaka on Sunday, according to a Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha report.
He was referring to the Malaysian automaker's electric vehicle (EV) push in his remarks.
The company launched its first-ever electric vehicle, the Proton e.MAS 7, in December 2024, and is holding a tour of key Malaysian cities between August and October to preview the Proton e.MAS 5, the second car in the EV series.
Bangladesh will also explore Malaysia's involvement in deep-sea fishing.
"We catch Hilsa and other marine fish within 40 to 50km of the deep sea. However, our maritime boundary is about 210,000sq km," Shafiqul Alam said.
Yunus, whose trip is being undertaken at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain, Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan.
The National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, special envoy to the Chief Adviser on international affairs Lutfey Siddiqui and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) executive chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Bin Harun are also part of the delegation. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
25 minutes ago
- The Star
JC3 to develop Malaysian taxonomy on sustainable finance aligning with Asean taxonomy
KUALA LUMPUR: The financial regulators and industry will collaborate to co-develop the Malaysian Taxonomy on Sustainable Finance alongside relevant stakeholders and ministries through the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3). In a statement today, JC3 which is co-chaired by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) said the Malaysian Taxonomy will be aligned with the ASEAN Taxonomy. "The taxonomy will progress from a principles-based approach, to utilising science-based technical screening criteria and quantitative thresholds to advance the accuracy and quality of assessment," said the statement in conjunction with its 15th meeting held on Aug 7, 2025. According to JC3, the Climate Finance Innovation Lab (CFIL) which was launched in June 2025 has received strong interest from project owners and a wide range of potential funders. This includes strategic ASEAN projects such as the ASEAN Power Grid and 16 other projects across the four thematic areas namely energy transition, circular economy, sustainable agriculture as well as biodiversity and nature-based solutions, it added. The committee also pledged to support the collaborative efforts of the Advisory Committee on Sustainability Reporting (ACSR) in implementing the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) across the financial sector. "JC3 is also exploring the development of a guidance document or use cases for the financial sector to assist industry players in meeting NSRF disclosure expectations. "In addition, the JC3 will be publishing the fourth iteration of the JC3 Data Catalogue in November this year in line with its continued commitment to address data challenges," it said. BNM assistant governor and JC3 co-chair, Madelena Mohamed said the strong interest in CFIL by project owners and the financial sector is encouraging, albeit broader and deeper industry participation is crucial. "We must act now and decisively by scaling up climate finance and nature-positive initiatives in Malaysia," she said. Meanwhile, SC executive director and JC3 co-chair, Salmah Bee Mohd Mydin said climate-related data continues to be an important focus area to ensure effective mobilisation of capital especially for adaptation financing. "Efforts to ramp up the availability and accessibility of climate-related data also support companies' ability to make effective disclosures under the NSRF," she noted. - Bernama
New Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Smuggling: Border wall needed as narrow Golok river renders AI, drones ineffective
TUMPAT: The use of artificial intelligence and drones will not be effective in curbing smuggling activities along the Kelantan border due to the narrow and shallow Golok river. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said these geographical factors made it necessary to expedite the construction of a border wall and security fence. "Malaysians, especially from Kelantan, are still crossing into Thailand illegally. "The activity has not completely stopped even after the crackdown on illegal crossings last year. "(However), the move has reduced cross-border activities by 90 per cent. "Previously, between 400 and 500 people would cross the border illegally each day, but now the number has dropped to about 30," he told reporters after visiting the border here today. Yusoff said the 45km stretch of border under the control of the General Operations Force (GOF) was extremely narrow, with travel time from the Thai riverbank to a jetty on the Malaysian side taking less than a minute. "There have been proposals to monitor the border using AI or drones, but it is very difficult because the river is so narrow. "That is why we urge for the immediate construction of a border wall and security fence. "With such measures in place, we can stop illegal immigration and other smuggling activities 100 per cent," he added. The river border area has long been a hotspot for cross-border movement, involving not only the smuggling of goods such as fuel, cooking oil, and subsidised items, but also illegal migration and drug trafficking. The shallow and winding river, dotted with illegal jetties, enables smugglers to operate swiftly and evade authorities.
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
Iran security chief visits Iraq, Lebanon amid Hezbollah tensions
TEHRAN: The head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, will visit Iraq and Lebanon in a three-day diplomatic trip. State television confirmed Larijani's departure on Monday, marking his first foreign visit since assuming office last week. In Iraq, he is expected to sign a bilateral security agreement before proceeding to Lebanon for high-level meetings. The trip follows Iran's strong objections to Lebanon's proposal to disarm Hezbollah, Tehran's key regional ally. Lebanon has condemned Iran's stance as 'flagrant and unacceptable interference' in its internal affairs. Larijani emphasised Iran's long-standing cooperation with Lebanon during a pre-departure interview with state TV. He stated that Lebanese national unity and independence remain priorities for Iran. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei framed the visit as an effort to promote Middle East peace. Baqaei reiterated Iran's support for Lebanon's right to self-defence against Israel. Hezbollah's military strength once surpassed that of Lebanon's national army before its conflict with Israel. The group gained popularity by resisting Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon until 2000. Senior Iranian advisor Ali Akbar Velayati criticised the disarmament plan as bowing to US and Israeli demands. The proposal follows Hezbollah's weakened state after last year's war with Israel. US pressure and domestic opposition to Hezbollah have intensified calls for disarmament. Israel has warned of escalating strikes if Hezbollah retains its weapons. Larijani, 68, oversees Iran's defence and security policies, subject to approval by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His appointment followed a 12-day war with Israel, which launched unprecedented attacks on Iranian targets in June. - Bernama
