Bangladesh and Malaysia held a meeting in Putrajaya on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation in tourism and explore new opportunities in the sector. Bangladesh State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat met Malaysian Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Chiew Choon Man, according to a news release issued Wednesday.

The discussions covered increasing air connectivity between the two countries, simplifying and pre-verifying visa processes, building capacity and expanding cultural exchanges. The two sides also expressed views on sharing skills, experience and best practices to advance tourism development as part of wider mutually beneficial cooperation.

Both countries discussed cooperation on training and skills development in the hospitality sector. Particular emphasis was placed on increasing recruitment of trained Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia's tourism services sector. They also stressed stronger people-to-people contact and cultural exchange to deepen mutual understanding. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, along with senior officials from relevant Malaysian tourism bodies and the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, attended the meeting.