Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday requested the Canadian government to assist in setting up colleges in Bangladesh either independently or under joint venture to ensure quality education in the country.

Besides seeking investment in other prospective sectors, she also requested a visiting Canadian minister to take steps for setting up a nurse-training institute in Bangladesh for improving the standard of medical care.

Thanking the Canadian govern ment for providing duty-and-quota-free access of Bangladeshi products to the North American country, she requested Canada, one of the largest bilateral development partners, to invest in ICT sector.

Her offer came when visiting Canadian Minister for International Cooperation Susan Whelan called on Khaleda Zia at the Prime Minister's Office in the afternoon.

In the meeting, both the prime minister and the Canadian minister hoped for intensifying the bilateral development relations in the days ahead.

Canada is assisting Bangladesh in poverty reduction, rural development, water management, energy sector, women development, and by way of food aid.

Hoping that trade and commerce between the two countries would be further increased and consolidated, the Canadian minister opined that the two countries could "face the challenges of the global competitive market after year 2004 through joint-venture collaborations in various fields".

Appreciating various "pragmatic and promising" programmes of the present government, particularly in the field of poverty reduction, pollution-free environment and education, Minister Whelan said girl education programme of Bangladesh could be a "role model" for other developing countries. The minister also appreciated the micro-credit programme.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia also sought Canadian government's involvement in imparting training to teachers for improving quality of education.

Responding to the PM, Whelan showed interest in importing jute goods from Bangladesh rating its environment-friendly quality.

She also apprised the prime minister that Canada is interested in expanding Canadian aid in Bangladesh alongside providing assistance in education sector.

The prime minister briefly apprised the Canadian minister of her government's various pragmatic and bold steps in improving law and order, establishing good governance and the rule of law and spurring economic growth overcoming a "shattered condition" inherited by her government.

The Canadian Minister for International Cooperation was accompanied by Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Gerry Campbell, CIDA vice-president for Asia Hau Sing Tse, Policy Advisor to the Minister for International Cooperation Robert Lea and CIDA and High Commission officials.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Kamaluddin Siddiqui and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Mohsin Ali Khan were present on the Bangladesh side.