Canada announces Tk390cr fresh funding for Bangladesh

Canada has announced CAD 45 million (approximately Tk390 crore) in fresh funding for four initiatives to strengthen agricultural innovation, economic reforms, access to finance and trade opportunities in Bangladesh.
The announcement came during Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai’s visit to Bangladesh from 11 to 14 October, according to a Facebook post by the High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh on Sunday.
The funding includes CAD 18 million for Bioenterprise Canada to connect Canadian agricultural innovators with Bangladesh’s agri-food sector, helping improve food security and create economic opportunities.
Another CAD 18 million will go to Cowater International to improve the business environment, simplify regulations and help Bangladeshi companies access Canadian and other international markets.
The World Bank will receive CAD 5 million to support economic and institutional reforms, while CAD 4 million will go to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to improve access to finance and support businesses.
Canada said the initiatives aim to link development cooperation with economic opportunities for businesses, investors and communities in both countries.
During his visit, Sarai met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in agriculture, health, education, energy, skills development and climate financing.
The two sides also discussed the Rohingya crisis and efforts to find sustainable solutions for refugees. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat on 12 October.
Sarai visited several Canadian-supported development projects in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, including the BRAC Skills Training Centre in Ashkona, where he learned about programmes helping young people, particularly women, develop employment skills.
He also visited the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), to observe how Canadian-supported research contributes to affordable healthcare solutions.
In Cox’s Bazar, Sarai met Rohingya refugees to discuss education, skills development and livelihood opportunities. He also met Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman.
During a visit to a demonstration site operated by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Sarai reviewed agricultural research aimed at improving crop productivity and strengthening climate resilience.
Bioenterprise Canada will work with CIMMYT to introduce and expand agricultural innovations in Bangladesh. The partnership was also highlighted following the delegation’s visit to Cox’s Bazar.
Sarai also visited Gildan Activewear Bangladesh Limited, a Canadian investor in the country’s garment sector, where discussions focused on expanding trade, investment and employment opportunities.
Canada and Bangladesh have maintained development cooperation for more than five decades. According to the Canadian government, bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately CAD 4 billion in 2025.
Following his visit to Bangladesh, Sarai travelled to Thailand for the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group, held in Bangkok from 12 to 18 October.