DHAKA: Prime Minis­ter Tarique Rahman will embark on Sunday on his first overseas trip since taking office, visiting Malaysia and China in a mission aimed at attracting investment, boosting overseas employment and signalling foreign policy priorities.

The six-day trip comes as Rahman’s administration seeks foreign capital to support an ambitious economic agenda while strengthening ties with key Asian partners.

Mr Rahman leaves for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, where discussions will focus on labour migration and economic cooperation. Malaysia remains a top destination for Bang­ladeshi migrant workers, whose remittances are crucial for the nation.

He then travels to China on Monday for a three-day official visit. A key outcome will be the signing of 15 to 17 bilateral instruments, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told rep­orters Saturday. Dis­cus­sions on the long-delayed Teesta River project are also on the agenda.

Mr Rahman will meet Premier Li Qiang on June 25 and President Xi Jin­p­ing on June 26, and attend the Summer Davos in Dal­ian. The visit follows the government’s approval of a $340 million Chinese-backed infr­a­structure pro­­ject in Chittagong, exp­ected to create 100,000 jobs.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026