23-Member Delegation Accompanies Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is en route to Malaysia on his first official foreign visit. He departed on Sunday afternoon on a special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. After completing the two-day visit, the prime minister will travel to Dalian, China, along with his delegation.

A 23-member delegation is accompanying him on this first foreign tour as prime minister.

His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, is among those traveling with him. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Labor and Employment Minister Ariful Haq Chowdhury, and several advisers are also part of the delegation.

They include Prime Minister’s Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Defense Adviser AKM Shamsul Islam, State Minister for Civil Aviation Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Power Anindya Islam Amit, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Mahadi Amin, and ICT Adviser Rehan Asif Asad.

Also accompanying the delegation are the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tanvir Gani and BIDA Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.

At Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the prime minister was seen off by Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, along with ambassadors of Malaysia and China and senior government officials.

Tarique Rahman assumed office as prime minister on February 17 following a landslide victory in the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12. This marks his first foreign visit four months into his tenure.

On Saturday, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam briefed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the six-day itinerary of the prime minister’s visit to Malaysia and China.

He said two agreements are likely to be signed in Kuala Lumpur, including one on cultural exchange and another on a free trade agreement. Discussions are also expected on expanding trade and investment, energy cooperation, the halal economy, worker recruitment, the semiconductor industry, agriculture, education, and public communication.

According to the Foreign Secretary, the prime minister is scheduled to depart Kuala Lumpur for Dalian at noon on June 22 and is expected to arrive in the evening.