Canada on Monday welcomed its engagement with Bangladesh to continue technical discussions towards a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA) to expand trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Ahmed Hussen, minister of international development of Canada, expressed such when he called on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
“Businesses in Canada will feel encouraged if FIPA is signed. They will see it as a signal,” the Canadian minister told Yunus.
The chief adviser urged Canada to relocate their manufacturing factories to Bangladesh and make it a production hub, taking advantage of Bangladesh’s youth force.
He also requested the Canadian minister to expedite visa processing for Bangladeshi students.
Responding to the chief adviser’s call, Hussen said Canada would welcome any legitimate student from Bangladesh, adding that the country’s recent decision to reduce the number of student study permits had not particularly targeted Bangladeshis.
“We did cut visas. But there is nothing against Bangladesh. Any legitimate student from Bangladesh is welcome.”
The chief adviser also sought Canada’s assistance to bring back money laundered from Bangladesh.
“There is a whole area called Begum Para, where family members of corrupt people are living,” he said. “We are working hard to get rid of corruption, as corruption is everywhere.”
Assuring Bangladesh of the Canadian government’s assistance, the minister said Canada did not want “corrupt money, plundered public money.”
During the meeting, Hussen reiterated the support of his government for Bangladesh’s interim government.
“I know the people of Bangladesh are looking to you and your team to fulfil their hope and expectations,” he said.
Yunus and the Canadian minister also discussed the government’s ongoing reform initiatives in Bangladesh, the upcoming general election and the plight of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
