Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is preparing to undertake his first official foreign trip since assuming the PM's office, with visits to Malaysia and China to focus on labour migration, education cooperation and broader economic engagement.
According to government officials, the prime minister will travel to Malaysia on 21 June for a two-day visit before continuing to China on 23 June. He is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on 26 June.
The tour comes as the government seeks to strengthen international partnerships while maintaining a policy of fiscal restraint.
Officials familiar with the preparations said, “PM is expected to travel with a relatively small delegation of around 20 members, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on limiting public expenditure. Advisers are expected to play a more prominent role during the visit than ministers and state ministers.”
Malaysia is one of the most important overseas employment destinations for Bangladeshi workers. However, recruitment to the Malaysian labour market has faced repeated disruptions in recent years due to allegations of syndicate control, procedural irregularities and administrative challenges. The recruitment system has yet to fully reopen for Bangladeshi job seekers.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office indicated that labour migration issues will be among the most significant topics discussed during the visit. Both governments are also considering an agreeto expandnding cooperation in the education sector.
Efforts to restore access to the Malaysian labour market have been ongoing since then. Earlier in 2026, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin travelled to Kuala Lumpur to discuss the issue with Malaysian counterparts. Following the visit, officials expressed optimism about progress in reopening recruitment channels for Bangladeshi workers.
The upcoming visit has generated considerable interest among members of the Bangladeshi community living in Malaysia.
Many expatriates see the trip as an opportunity to discuss regularising the status of undocumented migrants and improving their employment prospects.
Bangladeshi students studying in Malaysia have also urged the government to include them in the country’s Graduate Pass programme. The scheme currently allows graduates from 32 countries to remain in Malaysia for up to one year after completing higher education to seek employment without requiring sponsorship. Bangladesh is not currently among the participating countries.
Undocumented Bangladeshi nationals have likewise called for bilateral talks to address their concerns, particularly regarding pathways towards legal status.
According to the provisional schedule, Tarique Rahman will arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on the evening of 21 June. He is expected to attend a meeting with expatriate professionals later that day.
Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Malaysia said, “the prime minister’s schedule would be tightly packed due to the short duration of the visit.”
Alongside official bilateral engagements, the prime minister is reportedly planning discussions with members of the Bangladeshi community and business representatives on 22 June.
Party officials noted that, as the visit is an official state visit, reception arrangements will be managed by the Malaysian authorities, with political supporters not expected to gather at the airport.
Although Tarique Rahman has travelled to Malaysia on several occasions in the past, including during his years in BNP leadership and subsequent visits from London, this trip marks his first overseas tour as prime minister.
Observers view the visit as an important early test of the government’s diplomatic and economic agenda. Discussions on labour mobility, education opportunities and bilateral cooperation are expected to provide an indication of how the new administration intends to strengthen Bangladesh’s engagement with key regional partners.
The subsequent visit to China is also likely to attract close attention, as Dhaka seeks to deepen economic cooperation and expand strategic partnerships with major Asian economies.
