Landmark Deal: Malaysia to Recruit 200,000 Workers, Invest in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is set to benefit greatly from a new partnership with Malaysia. State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam announced this news. Malaysia will recruit 200,000 Bangladeshi workers starting next month. The country will also invest around US$2 billion in Bangladesh.
The recruitment process will send workers through listed companies. An additional 10,000 workers will go to Malaysia completely free of cost. This worker recruitment process is expected to finish within six months. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment is overseeing these plans.
Malaysian High Commissioner Mohammad Suhada bin Osman met Local Government Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan on Sunday. After the meeting, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam shared these details with journalists.
Malaysia will invest in several important sectors in Bangladesh. These include electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels. They will also invest in renewable electricity and halal food. These investment processes will begin very soon.
Malaysia will also provide technical support for road construction. They will help Bangladesh use polymer-modified bitumen, also called rubberised bitumen. This material helps roads last longer, especially in heavy rain. Bangladesh successfully tested rubberised bitumen on a two-kilometer road in 2005. That road remains in good condition today.
The Bangladesh Government plans to use rubberised bitumen on at least 20 percent of its roads. This will prevent roads from breaking down easily during monsoon season. Malaysia’s help will be crucial for using this technology on rural roads.
The government is also finalizing a new policy for e-rickshaws. This policy will go to the Ministry of Law for review soon. It aims to bring proper regulation to the e-rickshaw sector. E-rickshaws will need certification from engineering universities. They will also need a fitness certificate from the traffic department. City corporations and municipalities will issue their registrations.
E-rickshaws will not be allowed to operate on main roads. Dhaka city will be divided into eight zones for e-rickshaw operations. Each zone will have a specific color. E-rickshaws from one zone cannot enter another. In Dhaka, only two and four-passenger e-rickshaws can register. Larger e-rickshaws for four and six passengers can operate in rural areas. Manufacturers will also need licenses and designs approved by universities. Charging points for e-rickshaws will also require licenses and may eventually use solar power.
