Malaysia Pledges Deeper Tourism, Cultural Ties with Bangladesh

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Publish : 07 Dec 2025, 03:56 PM

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Malaysian High Commissioner Mohd Shuhada Othman affirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening tourism, cultural, and people-to-people ties with Bangladesh. He stated that both nations continue to deepen a friendship built on trust, mutual respect, and shared aspirations.

"Over the decades, our relationship has grown and expanded across trade and investment, tourism, education, and cultural exchange. This partnership continues to be strengthened through regular engagements at the highest levels," he said Saturday evening at a gala dinner, organised to mark the Malaysia Tourism Fair in Dhaka at a hotel in the capital.

Twenty-two organizations—including airlines, tour operators, education institutions, and medical service providers—took part in the fair. The campaign, themed "Malaysia Truly Asia - Visit Malaysia 2026," seeks to promote Malaysia's cultural vibrancy and strengthen bilateral tourism and friendship.

The event was graced by Education Adviser Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar as the Guest of Honor and saw attendance from tourism stakeholders and envoys from diplomatic missions.

Both Adviser Abrar and High Commissioner Othman extended gratitude to partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, MATRADE, Malaysia Airlines, and InterContinental Dhaka for their role in supporting the festival.

The Malaysian High Commissioner said his country looks forward to welcoming more Bangladeshi travellers in the coming years, noting that tourism serves as a bridge that brings societies closer through food, culture, heritage, and shared experiences.

He further said that Bangladesh remains "one of Malaysia's strongest and fastest-growing tourist markets" and emphasised that smoother travel depends on the proper use of the official e-Visa system.

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Addressing concerns over travellers turned back at Malaysian immigration, he stressed that the e-Visa process is "systematic and straightforward" when completed directly through the official portal, cautioning that third-party submissions may cause discrepancies leading to complications, including blacklisting.

Mohd Shuhada Othman urged Bangladeshi citizens to apply only through the official e-Visa site, which is regularly shared on the High Commission's social media platforms, and assured that the mission remains available to assist travellers seeking guidance.

He said the Festival Malaysia celebration showcases the "colours, flavours and rhythms of Malaysian multicultural harmony," adding that cultural exchanges play an essential role in reinforcing the warm relationship between the two countries.

He recalled recent high-level visits, including the Malaysian Prime Minister's official trip to Dhaka and the Bangladesh Chief Adviser's visit to Kuala Lumpur which, he said, reaffirmed the two governments' commitment to strengthening cooperation across tourism, investment, education, and cultural exchange.

The High Commissioner highlighted Malaysia's growing global connectivity, noting that Kuala Lumpur International Airport was recently ranked among the world's most connected airports.

This, he said, positions Malaysia as a strengthening regional hub for travel, trade, and investment.

Earlier in the day, while inaugurating the Malaysia Tourism Fair and the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 promotional campaign, Othman announced Malaysia's target of attracting 300,000 Bangladeshi tourists in 2026.

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