Bangladesh and Malaysia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock, with a particular focus on expanding halal meat exports, enhancing trade, and promoting technology transfer.

The commitment came during a courtesy meeting between Bangladesh’s Minister for Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, and the Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mohd Shuhada Othman, at the minister’s office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.

During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of issues aimed at deepening the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in fisheries, livestock, and agriculture through technology and knowledge exchange, joint research initiatives, human resource development, increased investment, and greater agricultural and livestock-based trade.

A key highlight of the meeting was the potential export of Bangladesh’s internationally renowned Black Bengal goat to Malaysia. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between relevant agencies to facilitate exports by ensuring animal health certification, halal certification, quarantine measures, compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and improved market access.

The discussions also explored opportunities to boost exports of fish, meat, milk, and other animal-based products to the Malaysian market.

Minister Amin Ur Rashid said the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia provide significant opportunities for joint initiatives, technology transfer, investment, and expanded trade in the fisheries, livestock, and agriculture sectors. He sought Malaysia’s technical expertise and experience in enhancing Bangladesh’s capacity to compete in the rapidly growing global halal meat market.

High Commissioner Shuhada Othman praised Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in the agriculture and livestock sectors. He expressed Malaysia’s interest in expanding trade in promising agricultural and livestock products, particularly the Black Bengal goat, and emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between government agencies and private sector stakeholders of both countries.

The meeting was also attended by Hazwan Hasnol, First Secretary of the High Commission of Malaysia in Bangladesh.