Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday sought Canadian cooperation across education, health, energy and agriculture, alongside food security, technical training, and climate financing, to solidify bilateral ties and broaden economic collaboration.

He made the appeal during a courtesy call by a Canadian delegation led by Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat, according to PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.

Throughout the meeting, both delegations exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations, expanding economic partnerships, and identifying fresh avenues for strategic cooperation, alongside addressing the ongoing Rohingya crisis and key development priorities.

The Prime Minister stated that Bangladesh looks forward to robust support from friendly nations like Canada in critical sectors, particularly healthcare and education.

Addressing the energy sector, the Canadian representatives expressed a keen interest in supporting Bangladesh's energy supply, specifically focusing on petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Regarding healthcare and human capital development, Canada indicated its intent to scale up cooperation in technical and vocational education, with a strong focus on nursing training.

Building upon its existing programs, the Canadian side expressed readiness to support nursing training institutes and foster highly skilled nursing professionals.

In agriculture, discussions centered on collaboration in pulses and oilseeds, national food security, and data-driven agricultural management.

The Canadian delegates also briefed the Prime Minister on their active initiatives through the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

PM Tarique Rahman outlined the administration's plan to launch Farmer Cards to streamline the distribution of fertilizers, seeds, and key agricultural inputs, noting, "The initiative would also help build a comprehensive database of farmers, enabling better agricultural planning and more effective delivery of government support."

Turning to the Rohingya humanitarian situation, the Prime Minister highlighted that Bangladesh continues to host approximately 1.3 million displaced Rohingyas, noting that their protracted stay exerts immense pressure on the country's economic and environmental resources.

"While humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas is important, their safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation is the only sustainable solution to the crisis. The crisis originated in Myanmar, and its solution also lies in Myanmar," the premier asserted.

Canada's Secretary of State for International Development concurred with the Prime Minister, reinforcing the necessity of a peaceful, secure, and dignified repatriation process for the Rohingya population.

The bilateral dialogue also encompassed renewable energy initiatives, canal re-excavation projects, nationwide tree plantation campaigns, and climate adaptation financing.

Sarai informed that Canada intends to allocate CAD 13 billion in global climate financing over the next five years, emphasizing that Bangladesh stands to benefit significantly from this fund.

Additionally, Canada expressed interest in funding feasibility studies for upcoming development projects across Bangladesh.

The discussion further covered the government's Family Card scheme and broader poverty alleviation strategies.

Citing World Bank assessments, the Prime Minister noted that well-targeted social safety nets, such as the Family Card, could potentially lift an additional 28.5 lakh people out of poverty.

He underscored the imperative of fostering economic self-sufficiency by driving employment opportunities and income-generating avenues in tandem with social safety programs.

Sarai commended the vital contributions of the Bangladeshi diaspora and Canadians of Bangladeshi origin, praising their entrepreneurial spirit, technical expertise, and constructive mindset, while noting that two Bangladeshi-Canadians currently serve as members of the Canadian Parliament.

At the conclusion of the high-level meeting, Sarai formally extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Canada.

The session was attended by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser on Education, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, and senior government officials. Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh and members of the official Canadian delegation were also present.