Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi Monday underscored the need for setting up a forum to boost communication between the businessmen of Bangladesh and Canada, reports BSS. “If such a forum is formed, it will help create a platform for discussion between the businessmen of the two countries. It will also enhance the activity of the businessmen,” he said. The Commerce Minister said this to reporters after Canadian High Commissioner to Dhaka Benoit Prefontaine met him at his secretariat office, said a Ministry press release. Tipu said that Canada is keen to increase its trade, commerce and investment in Bangladesh and for this, both the businessmen of Bangladesh and Canada would have to come forward. He also suggested the businesses of both the countries identify the barriers towards trade and investment and put forward recommendations to the governments so that the concerned governments could take necessary measures. Mentioning that the Awami League government is providing special facilities to the investors, the Commerce Minister said that the Canadian investors would be more benefitted if they invest in Bangladesh. He said that country’s exports to Canada are on the rise as it totaled $1,118.71 million in the last fiscal year against the imports of $498.16 million since there is a huge demand for Bangladeshi products in Canadian market. “Canada’s investment and trade with Bangladesh will increase in the coming days.” Lauding the socio-economic development of Bangladesh over the last 10 years, Canadian High Commissioner Benoit Prefontaine said that Canada would stand beside Bangladesh and continue their efforts so that the forcibly displaced Rohingyas could return to Myanmar. He said that his country would continue to support Bangladesh in the education sector. Earlier, Slovenian Ambassador to Dhaka Jozef Drofenik met the Commerce Minister at his secretariat office where they discussed necessary initiatives to boost trade and investment between the two countries. Commerce Secretary Md Mofizul Islam and Additional Secretary of the Ministry (Export) Tapan Kanti Ghosh were present.
