Bangladesh has sought Canadian investment in potential sectors such as ICT, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and renewable energy.

Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin made the call when Canada's Indo-Pacific Trade Representative Paul Thoppil met Ambassador Jashim Uddin, Foreign Secretary,  at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.

Thoppil, who arrived in Bangladesh on Saturday evening, was accompanied by a business delegation including representatives from Gildan, BlackBerry, Advantech, Bell Helicopter, JCM Power, and Export Development Canada.

High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh Ajit Singh was also present at the meeting.

Jashim Uddin highlighted the multi-pronged economic reforms by the interim government.

Thoppil expressed growing interest in Canadian companies in Bangladesh.

Both sides welcomed the steady growth in bilateral trade amounting to US $3 billion.

The foreign secretary appreciated Canada's duty-free, quota-free market access for Bangladeshi exports and expressed optimism about the ongoing technical discussions on a Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPA), and the possibility of initiating dialogue on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the near future.

Echoing the same, Paul Thoppil added that FIPA would play a critical role in boosting confidence among Canadian investors.

The foreign secretary also stressed the need to simplify the student visa application process to facilitate educational exchange and skills development.

Meanwhile, Thoppil also called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna yesterday.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to deepen bilateral economic cooperation and expand investment opportunities, reports BSS.

The chief adviser extended a warm invitation to Canadian investors, stressing Bangladesh's readiness for industrial expansion and its potential as a regional export hub.