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Published : 17 Jan 2016, 11:45 PM
She made this point when the Canadian High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Benoît-Pierre Laramée, called on her at her office on Sunday.
Her Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, while briefing reporters after the meeting, said the prime minister had congratulated the newly elected Canadian government.
She hoped that Canada-Bangladesh relations would attain greater heights.
Hasina appreciated Canada’s contribution to Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 and to the country’s current development.
She also pointed out that many Bangladeshi expatriates lived in Canada and contributed to the economy of both countries.
The prime minister added education was on top her government’s agenda in order to achieve desired development goals, and spoke of strengthening local government organisations and the private sector.
Karim said she also emphasised the need to increase exports of IT and leather products, besides Bangladesh’s main export commodity - readymade garment.
Expressing appreciation for Canada’s co-operative industry, Hasina said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, too, had initiated similar activities under his regime.
Hasina said her government also encouraged co-operative initiatives as well as small and medium agro-based industries.
High Commissioner Laramée said the new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wanted to work with Bangladesh, especially on environment and climate change issues.
He also stated Canada’s interest in working with Bangladesh on gender equality and in the health sector.
The envoy appreciated Bangladesh’s strides in economic development, especially the achievements in certain sectors.
Laramée had expressed interest in the establishment direct air links between the two countries when he met Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon in February last year.
The Cabinet had approved a draft agreement in August 2015 between the governments on passenger and cargo air transport.
