Canada pledges to help strengthen BFTI

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Canadian High Commissioner (HC) Robert Mcdougal Wednesday said his country will provide necessary technical assistance to help strengthen Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI).

He made the assurance when he made a courtesy call on Commerce Minister Faruk Khan at his ministry.

The commerce minister placed the government's plan before the Canadian envoy on building the BFTI as a think-tank on the country's internal, regional and international business and trade.

Mr. Faruk urged the Canadian HC to import more RMG products from Bangladesh mentioning that the Canadian government has been allowing Bangladeshi readymade garments' (RMG) duty and quota-free access since January 2003.

Responding to the commerce minister's plea, the Canadian envoy assured that his country would extend its help in Bangladesh's various potential sectors like agriculture, information technology and jute products aiming to raise the volume of its exports.

Mr. Robert said commercial relationship between Bangladesh and Canada increased remarkably in the last five years and expressed his hope that it would continue in future.

According to statistics, Bangladesh exported goods worth $ 284.69 million in 2003-2004 and $ 457.21 million in 2006-07 to Canada.

On the other hand, Bangladesh imported $ 73.60 million worth of goods in 2003-04 and $ 156.24 million in 2006-07.