By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka : Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Tuesday said Bangladesh having its traditional bonds with both sides can be a bridge between America and Asia at a time when a new Asian Age starts dawning.
The foreign adviser made the remark while addressing as chief guest at a function organized by the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka at a local hotel to mark the 5th anniversary of the access of Bangladeshi goods to Canadian markets as LDC products.
During the five years, Bangladeshi exports to Canada had quadrupled, growing from US $163 million in 2001-2002 to US $542 million in 2006-2007.
The export is growing because of the extension GSP facilities to us, Dr Iftekhar said added that this reflects Canada’s enlightened approach to global issues.
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Barbara Richardson chaired the function.
“Bangladesh was looking for similar access to markets of other developed countries, he said. “If we are good in manufacturing something like readymade garments, we should be rewarded with freer access instead of being punished with tariff and non-tariff barriers,” he observed.
The adviser said nearly 70,000 Bangladeshis are living in Canada and contributing to Canada’s progress, which is a pride for us.
He further said today Canada is emerging as a destination for our skilled manpower, which will become another important factor in connecting the two countries.
Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury spoke of Bangladesh’s partnership with Canada in UN peacekeeping and women’s empowerment.
“We cooperate in these areas to underscore the fact that despite many obvious differences between our two countries, there are certain values that are universal that all countries must share, and that is what defines our modern world,” he concluded.
Among others, BGMEA President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury, BKMEA President Md Fazlul Haque, FBCCI President Annisul Haq, former Ambassador Mohsin Ali Khan, head of CIDA to Bangladesh Dr Rajani Alexander spoke on the occasion.
Diversification of Bangladesh’s export basket can help augment export volume to Canada, which virtually lifted all quotas for LDC products and liberalized the rules of origin, the Canadian envoy in Dhaka said.
“Bangladesh has been benefited significantly from Canada’s liberal trading policies and its export to Canada,” the high commissioner said.