PM seeks Canadian support for energy, food security, Rohingya repatriation

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday sought deeper cooperation with Canada in energy, agriculture, skills development and climate financing, while calling for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis through safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation to Myanmar. 
He made the call when a delegation led by Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai called on him at his office at the Secretariat in Dhaka. 
According to a press release, the meeting discussed strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and exploring new avenues for strategic partnership. Tarique said Bangladesh looked forward to cooperation from friendly countries such as Canada in health and education.
The Canadian delegation expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh’s energy supply, particularly oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as technical and vocational training and nursing institutions.
Discussions on agriculture covered pulses, oilseeds, food security and data-driven planning. The delegation also briefed the prime minister on its work through the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

PM Tarique outlined plans to introduce Farmer Cards to provide farmers with fertilisers, seeds and other essential inputs, while building a database to improve agricultural planning and the delivery of government support.
On the Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh is hosting around 1.3 million Rohingyas, whose prolonged presence is straining the economy and environment. Humanitarian assistance is important, he said, but safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation is the only sustainable solution. The crisis originated in Myanmar and its solution lies there, said Tarique Rahman.
Sarai agreed on the importance of the peaceful, safe and dignified return of Rohingyas to their homeland. He said Canada planned to provide US$13 billion in climate financing globally over the next five years, adding that Bangladesh could benefit from the initiative. Canada was also interested in supporting feasibility studies for development projects.
Referring to World Bank estimates, Tarique said government social assistance programmes, including the Family Card initiative, would help lift an additional 28.5 lakh people out of poverty.
Sarai praised the Bangladeshi community in Canada, noting that two Canadians of Bangladeshi origin served in the country’s Parliament. He also invited Tarique to visit Canada. 

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