Bangladesh, Oct. 26 -- Bangladesh and Malaysia will hold the first round of negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) here tomorrow (Tuesday) amid hope that the deal will narrow lopsided trade balance and help exporters stay competitive after the country's LDC graduation.

A team of senior officials from Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) is due in Dhaka by October 26 (today), commerce ministry officials said.

The talks will take place at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, and Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan is expected to attend the opening session.

The negotiations will be based on "A Zero Draft" already shared by Malaysia and will cover market access, business opportunities and other issues of mutual i...