Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is currently in Dhaka at the head of a 50-member Malaysian delegation to attend the inaugural session of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Business Forum (BMBF) 2004.

On his arrival at the ZIA International Airport at the Bangladeshi capital yesterday evening, Mahathir was received by Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan along with Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and State Minister for Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Major (Rtd) Quamrul Islam.

"I am glad to be in Dhaka again," Dr Mahathir was quoted by Bernama as saying as he recalled his several visits to Bangladesh as the Malaysian premier.

Political stability

In a brief statement to newsmen at the airport, Mahathir said the Malaysian business people are looking for opportunities for their investment in sectors like telecommunication and health.

Replying to questions, Dr Mahathir said political stability was the main reason behind Malaysia's economic progress. The people of Malaysia, he said, are fortunate because the country is politically stable.

The former prime minister will also call on Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and attend the 42nd general convocation at Dhaka University where he will be conferred with an honorary doctorate of law degree.