Courtesy Call: Robi CEO Meets Malaysian High Commissioner

Ziad Shatara, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Robi Axiata PLC, paid a courtesy call on Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohammad Shuhada Osman. The meeting was held on Monday, February 2, at the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 3, Robi said the meeting underscored the company’s important role in further strengthening the long-standing, close, and friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia. The discussion highlighted that Robi Axiata PLC represents Malaysia’s largest investment in Bangladesh. Through expansion of connectivity, job creation, digital inclusion, and significant contributions to the national exchequer, the company has been working as one of the key partners in Bangladesh’s economic and digital transformation.

It was noted that Robi Axiata PLC is among the country’s largest contributors to national revenue, paying substantial amounts every year in the form of taxes, VAT, customs duties, spectrum fees, and licence fees. These contributions play a vital role in Bangladesh’s overall socio-economic development.

Robi’s parent company, Axiata Group Berhad, is a government-linked company (GLC) of Malaysia, with Khazanah Nasional Berhad—the country’s sovereign wealth fund—as its principal shareholder.

Beyond the telecommunications sector, Malaysia remains a key development partner of Bangladesh in manpower export, remittance inflows, investment, trade, and education. More than 37 per cent of the total expatriate workforce currently residing in Malaysia are Bangladeshi workers, who remit over USD 3 billion annually to Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Ziad Shatara expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian High Commission for its continued support to Robi Axiata PLC. In response, the High Commissioner assured continued cooperation and reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to further strengthening the long-term strategic partnership between the two countries.

Malaysian High Commissioner Mohammad Shuhada Osman said, “Through Robi, Axiata Group Berhad represents Malaysia’s largest investment in Bangladesh. Over the years, Robi has demonstrated strong performance and consistent progress. Robi’s success not only reflects the robust economic cooperation between our two countries, but also reinforces the confidence of Malaysian investors in Bangladesh. We hope this positive momentum will continue in the years ahead.”

DBTech/TRS/EK/OR