Malaysia will begin the process of recruiting 200,000 Bangladeshi workers by the end of September, with the process expected to be completed within six months, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam said on Sunday.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting between Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman and LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan at the Secretariat.

“The manpower export from Bangladesh will begin by the end of September and will be completed within the next six months,” he said, citing the high commissioner.

Asked about the number of workers to be recruited, Shahe Alam said, “A total of 200,000 will go through their listed companies.”

He said Malaysia will also take an additional 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at zero cost, meaning the workers will not have to bear any recruitment-related expenses.

“That will also begin in phases towards the end of September,” he said.

Responding to a question about whether the meeting discussed a letter sent by the Bangladesh government to Malaysia regarding the import of LNG, the state minister said the issue did not come up for discussion.