Dhaka to remain biggest partner of CIDA

Newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner David Sproule said this when he called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office yesterday.

The Canadian envoy said Bangladesh would continue to enjoy special focus and remain the biggest bilateral partner of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

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Bangladesh is one of the nine countries in the world, and the only Asian country, to be in the special focus of CIDA.

During the meeting with the prime minister, Sproule said that Canadian import from Bangladesh has tremendously increased since the application of duty-free access of Bangladeshi products.

He lauded the government measures and the progress achieved in various sectors, including education, power, health, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mentioned continued Canadian support for their further development.

The Canadian envoy appreciated the development efforts of the government and reforms, particularly in the economic and social sectors, including the effort to form anti-corruption commission and children's ombudsman.

He termed the progress in the social sectors, particularly girls' education, as impressive success.

He mentioned the efficient handling of emergency relief and rehabilitation in the wake of the recent devastating floods in Bangladesh.

Sproule also lauded the role of Bangladeshi troops in different UN peacekeeping missions, which he termed as a difficult task.

Terming Bangladesh as a country of ample opportunities and great potentials, Sproule said his biggest effort would be to increase Canadian investment that already exists in different sectors in Bangladesh.

Referring to the nearly 50,000 Bangladeshis living in Canada, he said they were making significant contribution to the Canadian economic activities.

Khaleda sought Canadian assistance for higher training of professionals in the legal profession.

She, through the Canadian High Commisioner, extended greetings to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin who took to office in July. She also invited her Canadian counterpart to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience.