Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here today for an official visit to pave the way for closer ties between Malaysia and Bangladesh. His aircraft landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2 pm local time (4 pm Malaysian time). Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh's Interim Government Dr Muhammad Yunus welcomed Anwar upon his arrival, along with Bangladesh Advisors and senior officials of the Bangladesh government and Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim. Anwar was given a red carpet welcoming ceremony including a 19-gun salute and received guard of honour mounted by members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The trip, which comes on the heels of Anwar's three-day state visit to Pakistan, will see the Prime Minister attending bilateral meeting with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to discuss and strengthen diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Bangladesh, fostering ties of friendship between the nations. Anwar is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Mo hammed Shahabuddin before departing for Kuala Lumpur today. Earlier, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim in a press conference said this is the first visit by the head of foreign government since the formation of interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus. 'This visit echoes history, as Malaysia was the first Muslim country to recognise Bangladesh's independence on Jan 31, 1972,' she said. During the visit, Anwar is accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan, International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Transport Deputy Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan. In 2023, Bangladesh was Malaysia's 27th largest trading partner, 19th largest export destination and 47th largest source of imports, making it Malaysia's second-largest trading partner among South Asian countries. Last year, the total trade between Malaysia and Banglade sh reached RM12.7 billion (US$2.78 billion). Source: BERNAMA News Agency