Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that he will discuss the release of Bangladeshi citizens detained in Malaysian prisons with the Malaysian government. He made the statement on Sunday, June 21, during a meeting with expatriate Bangladeshis in Malaysia, marking his first official visit to the country as prime minister. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman.

Rahman emphasized that the government is prioritizing modern training and language education to enhance the skills of overseas workers. He said steps are being taken to modernize technical and vocational institutions in Bangladesh to prepare workers for global labor market competition. The government is also planning to identify countries where demand for Bangladeshi workers may increase over the next decade.

During the visit, discussions are expected to cover issues faced by Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, opportunities for new labor recruitment, and potential cooperation in trade, investment, and technology. The foreign secretary earlier indicated that a memorandum of understanding on a free trade agreement and cultural cooperation may be signed during the trip.