Bangladesh and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are poised to expand cooperation across trade, investment, tourism, technology and other areas, with both sides showing growing interest in taking their longstanding relationship to a new level.

Chairman of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC) and Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman said ASEAN missions in Dhaka remain committed to strengthening ties with Bangladesh, which he described as a close friend and an increasingly important partner in South Asia.

“We value Bangladesh as a close friend and an increasingly important partner in South Asia,” he said at a reception marking the 59th anniversary of ASEAN’s founding on Monday night, according to UNB.

The envoy said Bangladesh and ASEAN could complement each other’s strengths and create opportunities that benefit both sides while contributing to wider regional prosperity.

The reception was attended by heads of ASEAN missions, diplomats, business representatives, civil society members and journalists.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid, who attended the event as chief guest, described ASEAN as one of the world’s most successful regional organisations.

He expressed hope that Bangladesh’s relations with the 11-member bloc would become more substantive, particularly following what he described as Bangladesh’s formal acceptance into the ASEAN family. “May the Bangladesh-ASEAN partnership continue to grow in the years ahead,” the minister said.

Rashid also highlighted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Malaysia, his first state visit, saying it had created a positive momentum for strengthening Bangladesh’s engagement with ASEAN.

Bangladesh has also applied for Sectoral Dialogue Partner status with ASEAN as part of its efforts to broaden institutional cooperation with the regional bloc, he said.

The government has already launched several initiatives with ASEAN countries, including a Bangladesh-ASEAN cooperation project on fisheries and aquaculture with a budget of nearly $500,000. Cooperation is also progressing in areas such as tourism, information and communications technology, micro, small and medium enterprises, and culture.

The minister urged ASEAN ambassadors and high commissioners in Dhaka to support Bangladesh’s application for Sectoral Dialogue Partner status. He said Bangladesh’s relationship with ASEAN was rooted in centuries-old connections in history, culture and faith, as well as geographic proximity through land and maritime routes.

Strong people-to-people links and growing trade relations, he added, provide a solid foundation for expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and Southeast Asia.

Shuhada Othman said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s choice of Malaysia for his first official visit demonstrated the importance Bangladesh attaches to ASEAN and its broader engagement with Southeast Asia. The envoy noted that ASEAN, with a population of more than 680 million, represents one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions and offers considerable opportunities for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, he said, also brings important strengths to the relationship, particularly its large and youthful population, expanding skills base and growing economic aspirations.

He said the ASEAN Dhaka Committee would continue working to bring ASEAN closer to the Bangladeshi public and promote greater awareness of opportunities between the two regions. Those efforts cover a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

“Let us continue to celebrate not only the achievements of ASEAN, but also the friendships and partnerships that will shape our shared future,” Shuhada Othman said.

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