Kuala Lumpur: Bangladesh has formally requested Malaysia to expedite the supply of refined palm oil through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) in anticipation of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Sk Bashir Uddin, Adviser to Bangladesh's Ministry of Commerce, made this request during a meeting with YB Datuk Seri Johari bin Abdul Ghani, Malaysia's Minister of Plantation and Commodities, on the second day of his official visit to Malaysia. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Malaysian Minister acknowledged the importance of the request and assured the Bangladeshi Commerce Adviser of prompt action. He committed to discuss the matter with local businessmen to ensure the supply of palm oil to Bangladesh on a Business to Government (B2G) basis, supported by the Malaysian government. The Malaysian Minister also extended a warm welcome to the Adviser and congratulated him on his new role. During the meeting, the Bangladeshi Adviser emphasized the significance of Malaysia-Bangladesh bilateral relations an d elaborated on the demand, production, and supply mechanisms of essential commodities in Bangladesh. He also outlined the Bangladeshi government's plan to distribute essential commodities, including edible oil, at fair prices to 10 million families through the state-run TCB under the Social Safety Net program. Malaysia, being the world's second-largest palm oil producer, plays a crucial role in supplying palm oil to Bangladesh, a major South Asian importer of Malaysian crude palm oil. The meeting also addressed potential collaboration in rubber sector development, trade and investment opportunities, and cooperation in establishing a Commodity Exchange as proposed by the Chittagong Stock Exchange. The meeting was attended by Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastgir, First Secretary (Commercial) Pranab Kumar Ghosh, First Secretary (Political) Rehana Parvin from the Bangladeshi High Commission, and Press Secretary to the Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Commodities Yusrinuddin bin Abd Kar im, along with other officials.
