UNB, Kuala Lumpur :
Branding Bangladesh as an emerging economic powerhouse in South Asia, Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister YB Encik Khairy Jamaluddin has said his country wants to play a part in Bangladesh’s ‘next chapter’ development success story.
“This is a new Bangladesh which has demonstrated that it is ready to bring growth to the next level. Bangladesh deserves it. Malaysia wants to play a part in your next chapter success stories,” he said.
The Youth Minister, who is very young himself, made the remark at a cultural and dinner programme at the Royale Chulan Hotel on Saturday night as part of the ongoing three-day Showcase Bangladesh-2014.
Jamaluddin found present Bangladesh as a new and confident for a brighter future and said Showcase Bangladesh is actually a wonderful opportunity for Bangladesh for its branding in Malaysia and it will help Malaysia reframe the relationships.
He said time has come to come out from the tendency of looking Bangladesh-Malaysia relationship through a very small and narrow definition. “If we continue to frame our relationship in a traditional way, we think we’ll miss the wonderful and lucrative opportunities that exist between the two countries.”
Laying emphasis on people-to-people contact, the Malaysian minister said both the countries have lot of young people who are willing to drive two countries forward.
“We’ve so much commonalities apart from Muslim majority countries. We’
re both proud countries with proud cultures and heritage. We can
build a stronger people-to-people contact,” he said.
Jamaluddin said the concept that Bangladesh is a source of cheap labour has changed completely. “Bangladesh has come a long way. It’s no longer a source of cheap labour rather it’s a source of valuable human resources that is contributing to the growth of entire region.”
Branding Bangladesh as a lucrative market, the Malaysian Youth Minister said they want to invest in infrastructure, telecommunications and utility sector as demand for those are absolutely tremendous.
He mentioned that they are going to invest in a massive project in Cox’s Bazar – 1300 megawatt coal based power plant as they invest in countries where foreign investors are fairly treated.
On Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Malaysia from December 2, the minister said the visit will strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries.
He said the Malaysian Prime Minister has a wonderful relationship with his Bangladesh counterpart and Malaysia want cement the relationship.
Jamaluddin observed that relationships within diplomatic and political level are not enough and it needs to be spread to all levels.
He also said Malaysian public and private sectors are ready to support Bangladesh to help it reach newer stage of development. “We need to look forward.”
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Malaysia AKM Atiqur Rahman, chairman of Showcase Bangladesh 2014 organising committee Syed Nurul Islam, Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) President Nasir A Choudhury, secretary general Raquib Mohammad Fakhrul, former BMCCI President Syed Moazzem Hossain were present.
A cultural programme comprising songs and dance was also held performed by Bangladeshi artistes.
Branding Bangladesh as an emerging economic powerhouse in South Asia, Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister YB Encik Khairy Jamaluddin has said his country wants to play a part in Bangladesh’s ‘next chapter’ development success story.
“This is a new Bangladesh which has demonstrated that it is ready to bring growth to the next level. Bangladesh deserves it. Malaysia wants to play a part in your next chapter success stories,” he said.
The Youth Minister, who is very young himself, made the remark at a cultural and dinner programme at the Royale Chulan Hotel on Saturday night as part of the ongoing three-day Showcase Bangladesh-2014.
Jamaluddin found present Bangladesh as a new and confident for a brighter future and said Showcase Bangladesh is actually a wonderful opportunity for Bangladesh for its branding in Malaysia and it will help Malaysia reframe the relationships.
He said time has come to come out from the tendency of looking Bangladesh-Malaysia relationship through a very small and narrow definition. “If we continue to frame our relationship in a traditional way, we think we’ll miss the wonderful and lucrative opportunities that exist between the two countries.”
Laying emphasis on people-to-people contact, the Malaysian minister said both the countries have lot of young people who are willing to drive two countries forward.
“We’ve so much commonalities apart from Muslim majority countries. We’
re both proud countries with proud cultures and heritage. We can
build a stronger people-to-people contact,” he said.
Jamaluddin said the concept that Bangladesh is a source of cheap labour has changed completely. “Bangladesh has come a long way. It’s no longer a source of cheap labour rather it’s a source of valuable human resources that is contributing to the growth of entire region.”
Branding Bangladesh as a lucrative market, the Malaysian Youth Minister said they want to invest in infrastructure, telecommunications and utility sector as demand for those are absolutely tremendous.
He mentioned that they are going to invest in a massive project in Cox’s Bazar – 1300 megawatt coal based power plant as they invest in countries where foreign investors are fairly treated.
On Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Malaysia from December 2, the minister said the visit will strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries.
He said the Malaysian Prime Minister has a wonderful relationship with his Bangladesh counterpart and Malaysia want cement the relationship.
Jamaluddin observed that relationships within diplomatic and political level are not enough and it needs to be spread to all levels.
He also said Malaysian public and private sectors are ready to support Bangladesh to help it reach newer stage of development. “We need to look forward.”
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Malaysia AKM Atiqur Rahman, chairman of Showcase Bangladesh 2014 organising committee Syed Nurul Islam, Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) President Nasir A Choudhury, secretary general Raquib Mohammad Fakhrul, former BMCCI President Syed Moazzem Hossain were present.
A cultural programme comprising songs and dance was also held performed by Bangladeshi artistes.
