Dhaka: Bangladesh and Canada today expressed hope for high-level engagements on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), while discussing ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, climate, energy, and agriculture.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the issue came up when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid his maiden call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the foreign ministry here this afternoon. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways Bangladesh and Canada could work together to uphold multilateralism and looked forward to high-level engagements on the sidelines of the upcoming UNGA.
They also explored avenues for expanding bilateral trade, including diversification beyond ready-made garments into sectors such as light engineering and machinery, as well as exchanges of business delegations. Kobir highlighted the contributions of the more than 100,000-strong Bangladeshi diaspora in Canada to strengthening ties between the two countries.
He thanked Canada for its continued support to the Rohingya response, while the Canadian high commissioner reaffirmed his country's commitment to a safe, dignified, and voluntary return of the Rohingya to Myanmar. In the context of Bangladesh's presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the state minister sought Canada's support for climate leadership and climate financing.
The Canadian high commissioner also raised the possibility of establishing a framework for bilateral cooperation in agriculture, while the two sides exchanged views on energy cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed that Bangladesh-Canada relations continue to be anchored in friendship and mutual trust.