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President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged Canada to further increase its investment in Bangladesh and expand cooperation in key sectors.
He made the call when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Tuesday noon, President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told BSS.
During the meeting, the high commissioner, on behalf of Canadian Governor General Louise Arbour, handed over a congratulatory letter to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on his assumption of the presidency.
The President thanked the Canadian government for the letter and praised Canada’s longstanding tradition of democratic practice, seeking its cooperation in strengthening democracy in Bangladesh.
“The government is facing difficulties due to the long absence of democracy and parliamentary practices, and it has begun necessary reform activities to institutionalise democracy,” he said.
The Canadian High Commissioner said bilateral trade between the two countries had exceeded C$4 billion annually, adding that there was further scope for expanding trade.
The President called for greater Canadian cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, food security, fertiliser, information technology and outsourcing.
He also sought increased Canadian cooperation in education, particularly in technical education, technology, nursing and medical training.
The high commissioner informed the President about the upcoming visit of Canada’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to Bangladesh.
He also highlighted Canada’s support for addressing the Rohingya crisis, saying Canada had so far provided around US$600 million in assistance.
The President thanked the Canadian government for its continued support and urged Canada to play an effective role in building international pressure for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The President also noted that more than 100,000 Bangladeshis are contributing to Canada’s development.
The President’s secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.
Canada’s Political Counsellor Marcus Devies was also present on the Canadian side.