President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged Canada to increase its investment in Bangladesh.

He made the call when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on the president at Bangabhaban on Tuesday. President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) about the meeting.

During the meeting, the president praised Canada’s long tradition of democratic practice and sought its cooperation in strengthening democracy in Bangladesh.

He said the current government is facing challenges due to the prolonged absence of democratic practices and parliamentary traditions. The government has already initiated necessary reforms to institutionalise democracy, he added.

The Canadian high commissioner said bilateral trade between the two countries has exceeded C$4 billion annually, adding that there is further scope for expanding trade.

The president urged Canada to increase cooperation in agriculture, food security, fertiliser, information technology, outsourcing and other sectors.

The high commissioner also informed the president about the upcoming visit to Bangladesh by Canada’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

On the Rohingya issue, the high commissioner highlighted Canada’s support and said the Canadian government has so far provided nearly $600 million in assistance.

The president thanked the Canadian government for its continued support and urged Canada to play an effective role in creating international pressure for the voluntary and safe repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

He also sought greater Canadian cooperation in education, particularly in technical education, technology, nursing and medical sectors.

The president said 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. Political Counsellor Marcus Davis attended on behalf of Canada.