President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged Canada to increase its investment in Bangladesh and expand bilateral cooperation.
He made the call when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Tuesday, October 6.
During the meeting, the high commissioner handed over a congratulatory message from Canadian Governor General Louise Arbour to the president. Mirza Fakhrul thanked her for the message.
The president praised Canada’s long tradition of democratic practices and sought its cooperation in institutionalising democracy in Bangladesh.
He said the current government was facing challenges due to the prolonged absence of democratic practices and parliamentary traditions, adding that the government had begun necessary reform initiatives to institutionalise democracy.
The high commissioner said bilateral trade between the two countries had exceeded 4 billion Canadian dollars annually and that there was further scope to expand trade. He also informed the president about the upcoming visit of Canada’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to Bangladesh.
Mirza Fakhrul called for greater Canadian cooperation in agriculture, food security, fertiliser, information technology and outsourcing, among other sectors.
He also sought increased Canadian support in education, particularly in technical and technological education, nursing and medical sectors.
On the Rohingya issue, the high commissioner highlighted Canada’s assistance, saying the Canadian government had provided nearly $600 million in support so far.
The president thanked the Canadian government for its continued assistance and urged Canada to play an effective role in creating international pressure for the voluntary and safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Mirza Fakhrul also said more than 100,000 Bangladeshis were contributing to Canada’s development.
The president’s secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting. Political Counsellor Marcus Devies also attended on behalf of Canada.
