Malaysia-Bangladesh FTA Talks Set for Late October

What happened

Malaysia and Bangladesh will hold the first round of negotiations for the Malaysia-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (MBFTA) at the end of October 2026. The talks will take place in Dhaka.

Dr Rashidi Said, senior director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Regional Grouping Division at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), confirmed the schedule. He said the first round is set for the end of October 2026.

Where the talks stand

The MBFTA first round is scheduled for Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. The date falls at the end of October 2026.

The announcement was made in Kuala Lumpur, where MITI is based. MITI is Malaysia's ministry responsible for investment, trade and industry.

Why it matters

A free trade agreement between Malaysia and Bangladesh would set formal terms for trade in goods and services. The MBFTA would be negotiated through government-to-government talks.

Malaysia's trade ministry is leading the process through its regional grouping division. The division handles Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and regional grouping matters.

Impact on Malaysia

MITI is the lead agency for Malaysia in the MBFTA negotiations. Dr Rashidi Said is the senior director overseeing the relevant division.

The first round in Dhaka marks the start of formal negotiating sessions. Malaysia's trade policy direction will be shaped through these talks.

Impact on Bangladesh

The first round will be hosted in Dhaka. Bangladesh will negotiate the agreement with Malaysia's trade ministry.

The MBFTA would create a bilateral framework between the two countries. The talks begin at the end of October 2026.

What comes next

The first round of negotiations is set for the end of October 2026 in Dhaka. Further rounds are expected to follow after the opening session.

MITI announced the schedule through Dr Rashidi Said. The ministry's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Regional Grouping Division is handling the matter.