Staff Reporter
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday urged Canada to increase its investment in Bangladesh.
The President made the call when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courte-sy call on him at the Bangabhaban yesterday.
During the meeting, the high commissioner on behalf of Canadian Governor General Louise Arbou handed over a congratulatory letter to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on assuming the office of the Presi-dent.
The President thanked him for the letter and praised Canada’s longstanding tradition of democractic prac-tice and sought its cooperation in this regard.
“The government is facing difficulties due to the long absence of democracy and parliamentary practices, and it has begun necessary reform activities to institutionalize democracy,” he said.
The Canadian High Commissioner said bilateral trade between the two countries has exceeded four bil-lion Canadian dollars annually and that there are further scopes for expanding trade.
The President also called for greater Canadian cooperation in country’s various sectors including agricul-ture, food security, fertiliser, IT and outsourcing.
He also requested increased Canadian cooperation in the education sector, especially in technical educa-tion, technology, nursing and medical fields.
The High Commissioner informed the President of the upcoming visit of Canada’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs to Bangladesh.
He also highlighted the Canadian government’s support on the Rohingya issue, saying Canada has so far provided around 600 million dollars in assistance.
The President thanked the Canadian government for its continued support and requested Canada to play an effective role in building international pressure for the voluntary and safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The head of the state also noted that more than one lakh Bangladeshis are contributing to Canada’s devel-opment.
The President’s Secretaries and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were present during the meeting.
Canada’s Political Counsellor Marcus Devies was also present on the Canadian side.
