Bangladesh aims to begin sending workers to Malaysia from the final week of August, Prime Minister’s adviser and office spokesperson Mahdi Amin said at a Thursday 3 p.m. press conference at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. Labour and Employment, and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury attended the briefing.

Amin said bilateral discussions had produced consensus between the two countries, creating an opportunity for workers from all sectors to travel to Malaysia. He described the target as realistic and said beginning departures within the next month could play a major long-term role in Bangladesh’s economy. He also urged the public to remain alert to fraud by brokers and dishonest groups.

Malaysia will determine the final number of recruiting agencies through its own screening process and framework, based on a list of 423 agencies Bangladesh submitted during the interim government’s tenure. The current memorandum of understanding remains valid until December this year. Amin said licences of people linked to past fascism, corruption or unethical activities had been cancelled, and that those involved in such conduct or syndicate-related corruption would not be included on the new list. Malaysian authorities are expected to confirm the matter soon.