A 30-member Malaysian delegation has arrived in Dhaka for the first round of negotiations, as Bangladesh seeks trade deals ahead of leaving the least developed country category.
Bangladesh and Malaysia will hold the first round of free trade agreement negotiations in Dhaka on 27 October, the Ministry of Commerce said on 26 October 2026.
Kamal Hossain, public relations officer of the commerce ministry, said a 30-member Malaysian delegation has already reached the capital. The talks will be held at a city hotel.
Bangladesh is negotiating with eight to 10 countries, including Malaysia, to retain preferential market access after it graduates from the least developed country category on 24 November 2026, unless the transition is deferred.
The country has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with South Korea, but neither has come into force because the parliaments of the countries concerned must validate them.
