Yunus seeks Malaysia's support for Bangladesh to become ASEAN member

[Yellow is Okay]

Malaysian High Commissioner Hashim said Kuala Lumpur was going to be the next chair of ASEAN and she would convey Professor Yunus’s message to the Malaysian authorities regarding the ASEAN membership​

Dr Muhammad Yunus. File Photo: Collected​

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (27 August) sought Malaysia's support for Bangladesh to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He sought the support as Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim paid a courtesy call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna, reads a press statement issued by the CA's office.

"Bangladesh can be a bridge between ASEAN and SAARC," said the Chief Adviser.

Also speaking on the occasion, Hashim said Kuala Lumpur was going to be the next chair of ASEAN and she would convey Professor Yunus's message to the Malaysian authorities regarding the ASEAN membership.

She said Malaysia would work with the Professor Yunus-led Interim government. "We trust in you. We wish you all the best," she said.

The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh has a very good relationship with Malaysia and recalled his friendship with Malaysian leaders, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and former Malaysian prime ministers Mahathir Mohamad.

"Let's give our best to enhance the relationship," he told the Malaysian High Commissioner.

Professor Yunus said at least seven Malaysian universities have Yunus Centre, promoting social business ideas he champions and his three zero concepts.

The High Commissioner, who is leaving Bangladesh after a tenure of four years, raised tax issues being faced by Robi Axiata and other Malaysian companies, saying some 50% of Robi's revenue is paid as taxes.

She said Malaysian companies including several owned by its sovereign funds have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and were now willing to invest more including in education.

She said a second Malaysian car manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chittagong-based company for distributing and assembling cars.

The Malaysian High Commissioner said Kuala Lumpur could be a desired destination for medical tourism, saying the Bangladeshi people can do essential medical treatment in the country at an affordable price.

 

[Yellow is Okay]

I know the article is a few months old, but I still think it deserves a thread. It's fascinating to see how this is progressing, and it genuinely seems like the intentions are legit, especially with Bangladesh also reaching out to Indonesia for support. @Indos

 

[ety]

Yes, BD should look for association with ASEAN, Pakistan with Central Asia, Nepal and Bhutan with East Asia, Sri Lanka also with ASEAN, and leave South Asia to India by itself.

 

[Indos]

I know the article is a few months old, but I still think it deserves a thread. It's fascinating to see how this is progressing, and it genuinely seems like the intentions are legit, especially with Bangladesh also reaching out to Indonesia for support. @Indos

Current BD wants ASEAN to counter India dominance there

It is more geopolitics reason than economic consideration considering BD needs to compete with other ASEAN nations and apply ASEAN FTA as well (reduce tarriff)

 

[Alter_Ego]

Malaysian High Commissioner Hashim said Kuala Lumpur was going to be the next chair of ASEAN and she would convey Professor Yunus’s message to the Malaysian authorities regarding the ASEAN membership​

Dr Muhammad Yunus. File Photo: Collected​

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (27 August) sought Malaysia's support for Bangladesh to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He sought the support as Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim paid a courtesy call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna, reads a press statement issued by the CA's office.

"Bangladesh can be a bridge between ASEAN and SAARC," said the Chief Adviser.

Also speaking on the occasion, Hashim said Kuala Lumpur was going to be the next chair of ASEAN and she would convey Professor Yunus's message to the Malaysian authorities regarding the ASEAN membership.

She said Malaysia would work with the Professor Yunus-led Interim government. "We trust in you. We wish you all the best," she said.

The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh has a very good relationship with Malaysia and recalled his friendship with Malaysian leaders, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and former Malaysian prime ministers Mahathir Mohamad.

"Let's give our best to enhance the relationship," he told the Malaysian High Commissioner.

Professor Yunus said at least seven Malaysian universities have Yunus Centre, promoting social business ideas he champions and his three zero concepts.

The High Commissioner, who is leaving Bangladesh after a tenure of four years, raised tax issues being faced by Robi Axiata and other Malaysian companies, saying some 50% of Robi's revenue is paid as taxes.

She said Malaysian companies including several owned by its sovereign funds have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and were now willing to invest more including in education.

She said a second Malaysian car manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chittagong-based company for distributing and assembling cars.

The Malaysian High Commissioner said Kuala Lumpur could be a desired destination for medical tourism, saying the Bangladeshi people can do essential medical treatment in the country at an affordable price.

That would be fantastic.
Since SAARC is a dead organization.
SEA is a more developed and orderly region.

 

[AjayGhatak]

Joining ASEAN will not magically transport BD to Southease Asia.

 

[nahtanbob]

Current BD wants ASEAN to counter India dominance there

It is more geopolitics reason than economic consideration considering BD needs to compete with other ASEAN nations and apply ASEAN FTA as well (reduce tarriff)

Does Indonesia want a large country joining ASEAN ?

 

[Alter_Ego]

Current BD wants ASEAN to counter India dominance there

It is more geopolitics reason than economic consideration considering BD needs to compete with other ASEAN nations and apply ASEAN FTA as well (reduce tarriff)

BD wants more economic coopertaion with SEA and access to its market.
India isnt a factor in this calcus at all. The talks with ASEAN has been ongoing since many many years.

BD also wants FTA with the EU forexample

 

[Indos]

Does Indonesia want a large country joining ASEAN ?

Well BD is not India right ?

Actually Indonesia wants to have more economic relation with Central and South Asian countries

Indonesian SOEs Eye Investments in Central, South Asia

State-run oil and gas firm Pertamina is among the Indonesian SOEs that will explore investment opportunities in Central and South Asia.

jakartaglobe.id

 

[Indos]

Indonesia has SOE with 1 trillion USD assets that wants to expand globally

 

[StrategicBear]

I'm from SEA but I don't want Bangladesh in ASEAN as the geographical location doesn't match.

 

[Viet]

that’s silly.
makes no sense at all.
Asean will become a mess.

 

[Alter_Ego]

I'm from SEA but I don't want Bangladesh in ASEAN as the geographical location doesn't match.

If Myanmar can match the description, then why Bangladesh so different?
Western parts of Myanmar was historically controlled by Bengali kings.
Arguably Indian 7 NE states and Bengal, historically have had strong cultural and economic cooperation with SEA and South China.

Mahayana Buddhism had its traditional stronghold in NE subcontinent and spread to forexample Indonesia.

Its no secret why ASEAN is reluctant to accede Bangladesh into ASEAN. The economic considerations are understandable . ASEAN would be far more positive, to put it mildly, if BD already had a several Trillion dollar economy and correspondent large internal market.

 

[AjayGhatak]

Current BD wants ASEAN to counter India dominance there

It is more geopolitics reason than economic consideration considering BD needs to compete with other ASEAN nations and apply ASEAN FTA as well (reduce tarriff)

ASEAN is not a military alliance. It is more of an economic bloc. And you can not get geopolitical advantage without getting some kind of geographic leverage. And ASEAN do not have any member that can offer geographic leverage to BD because.... duh... BD does not share any kind of border with most ASEAN nation. The ASEAN nation that has any kind of vicinity with BD is Burma. And.... thats a non starter.

 

[AjayGhatak]

Yes, BD should look for association with ASEAN, Pakistan with Central Asia, Nepal and Bhutan with East Asia, Sri Lanka also with ASEAN, and leave South Asia to India by itself.

Yeah, why not add Mars and Alpha Centuri in the mix too! May be BD can move itself in south China sea and leave this wretched neighbour behind!