Bangladesh's export to Canada grew by 14.53 per cent in 2019 to 1.97 billion Canadian dollar year on year mainly because of the trade privilege for Dhaka in the North American country.
Exports to Canada fetched CAN$ 1.72 billion and CAN$ 1.65 billion respectively in year 2018 and 2017. Over 90 per cent of the exports to Canada were apparel items, according to data from the Canada Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bangladesh (CanCham).
Bilateral trades between the two countries reached CAN$ 3.2 billion registering 36 per cent year on year growth in 2019, said the CanCham statement issued on Tuesday.
Canada's export to Bangladesh was CAN$ 1.24billion in 2019, CAN$ 642 million in 2018 and CAN$ 718 million in 2017.
Canada has turned a good export destination as Bangladesh has been enjoying duty-free access to the Canadian market, mainly garment products, leather, textiles, seafood and pharmaceuticals, since 2004.
The cornerstone of Bangladesh and Canada's commercial relationship is certainly agriculture, the lifeblood of both the countries.
Not only has Bangladesh relied for decades on Canadian suppliers for high quality Canadian grains, seeds and pulses, but more recently nutritional technology and potash fertiliser have been contributing to Bangladesh's food security and to the health of its citizens.
"Since Bangladesh is a close friend and ally of Canada. We, as Bangladeshis, have to ask ourselves which candidate can best represent our views and interests in the most important body in the UN system during these challenging times,", the statement said.
It mentioned that Canada deserves Bangladeshi supports during the upcoming election in the UN Security Council.
Against the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations plans to hold the elections in New York, United States, in June, to fill the rational seats on the UN Security Council for 2021-22. Canada, Ireland and Norway are vying for a seat, it added.
Munni_fe@yahoo.com