Canada pledges Tk 390cr to spur BD's economic growth

Canada has pledged C$45 million (about Tk 390 crore) in grants for four initiatives in Bangladesh to boost agricultural innovation, advance economic reforms, expand access to finance and strengthen trade, the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka said on Sunday (October 18).

The funding was announced by Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai during his visit to Bangladesh from October 11 to 14 to strengthen bilateral ties and promote inclusive economic growth.

During the visit, Sarai met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and other senior officials to discuss cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, education, skills development, energy and climate finance, as well as efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

He also visited BRAC’s skills development centre in Dhaka and icddr,b to observe Canadian-supported initiatives in workforce development and healthcare research.

In Cox’s Bazar, Sarai reviewed assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities. Canada has provided more than C$600 million in assistance for the Rohingya response since 2018, according to the source report.