Canada keen to boost energy, skills training cooperation with Bangladesh

Canadian Minister of International Development Randeep Sarai, leading a delegation, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat on Monday.The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and exploring new opportunities for strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Canada.Discussions covered the Rohingya crisis, energy security, technical and vocational education, agriculture, food security, climate financing and poverty alleviation.During the meeting, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh expected cooperation from friendly countries like Canada in several key sectors, including healthcare and education.On the Rohingya crisis, the prime minister said Bangladesh was currently hosting around 1.3 million Rohingya refugees. As a densely populated country facing its own economic and social challenges, Bangladesh was under considerable pressure from the prolonged presence of the refugees, particularly on its economy and environment.He said providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya was important, but a lasting solution lay in their safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation to Myanmar.The crisis originated in Myanmar, and its solution also lay there, he added.Randeep Sarai agreed on the importance of ensuring the peaceful, safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya.Canada signals interest in energy cooperationThe Canadian delegation expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh's energy supply, particularly in the oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) sectors. Canada could emerge as a potential partner for Bangladesh in these areas, the meeting was told.The Bangladesh side said it would consider the proposal positively.Canada also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Discussions included opportunities to establish nursing training institutions and develop a skilled nursing workforce.The Canadian side said it was already involved in this sector and had plans to expand its activities in the future.Cooperation in agriculture and food securityThe meeting also explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the production and supply of agricultural commodities, including pulses and oilseeds.Sarai expressed Canada's interest in supporting Bangladesh's efforts to ensure food security. The prime minister was briefed on ongoing initiatives through the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.The two sides also discussed Bangladesh's proposed Farmer Card programme.Tarique Rahman said the government planned to distribute essential agricultural inputs, including fertilisers and seeds, to farmers through the cards. The initiative would help the government maintain detailed farmer records, improve agricultural planning and deliver public assistance more effectively.The meeting also discussed how Canada's expertise in data management and evidence-based planning could support the programme.Family Card programme and poverty reductionReferring to World Bank information, the prime minister said that consolidating multiple food subsidy programmes, improving the targeting of existing cash assistance schemes and introducing a Family Card could help lift an additional 2.85 million people out of poverty.He stressed the importance of ensuring economic self-reliance, saying his government was prioritising not only social protection programmes but also increased income and employment opportunities.Climate financing and renewable energyThe two sides discussed Bangladesh's initiatives on renewable energy, canal excavation and a programme to plant 250 million trees.Sarai said Canada was interested in providing 13 billion Canadian dollars in global climate financing over the next five years, adding that Bangladesh could benefit from the funding.Canada also expressed interest in supporting feasibility studies for development projects in Bangladesh before their implementation.Invitation to visit CanadaDuring the meeting, Sarai praised Bangladeshis and Canadians of Bangladeshi origin living in Canada, highlighting their initiative, professional skills and positive outlook. He also informed the prime minister that two Canadians of Bangladeshi origin were serving as members of the Canadian Parliament.At the end of the meeting, the Canadian minister invited Tarique Rahman to visit Canada.Among those present were State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser on Education, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibli and other relevant officials.Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh and senior officials from the Canadian delegation also attended the meeting.