KUALA LUMPUR, June 22, (V7N) — The government’s key goal is to attract investment from Malaysia, Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin said today.

Speaking at a press conference at the Shangri-La Hotel, Mahdi said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with the chief executives of five major Malaysian companies to encourage investment in Bangladesh.

“We are moving toward economic liberalization through the signing of free trade agreements and pursuing deregulation policies. The main objective is to attract investment from different parts of the world. From our perspective, Malaysia is one of the key targets,” said Mahdi, who also serves as the prime minister’s expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment adviser.

He noted that senior executives from five leading Malaysian firms discussed investment prospects in Bangladesh during their meeting with the prime minister. “Bangladesh has a large market base, and naturally there is significant consumer demand that the companies can help to meet,” he added.

Mahdi emphasized Bangladesh’s employment potential, saying the country offers both strong market demand and a capable workforce. “By combining the two strengths, we have assured potential investors that if they invest in Bangladesh, our government will provide policy support as much as possible and create a pro-business, pro-investment framework through deregulation.”

Before leaving Malaysia for China, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held talks with top executives of Petronas Group, Axiata, AirAsia, Perodua, and MMC Group.

Mahdi described the prime minister’s Malaysia visit as significant, saying it “opened a new chapter in bilateral friendship.” He added that the Malaysian prime minister highlighted the historic, fraternal ties between the two nations.

The two leaders held detailed talks on expanding trade and investment to further strengthen economic cooperation based on mutual interests.

Also present at the press conference were Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony, and Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia Mosammat Shahanara Monica.

END/AJ/RH