Canada-Bangladesh Joint Working Group has planned to form a joint working committee of the two countries to brand Bangladesh in Canada for boosting both investment and trade. The Group has decided to form the committee at a virtual meeting where nominated members of the governments of the two countries discussed the issue on Tuesday. FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin and Cofounder and Vice Chairman of Consumer Health Nuzhat Tam-Zaman cochaired the meeting. Read:FBCCI calls for extension of loan moratorium till June The meeting discussed that with the development of the economy, new potentials for foreign investment have been created in Bangladesh. It said Bangladesh is now one of the best investment destinations in the region due to its infrastructural facilities, huge domestic market and duty-free facilities in the major markets of the world. “But Canadian investors are not yet aware of this advantage.” So, they decided to form a  joint working committee. The previous meeting of the Canada-Bangladesh Joint Working Group identified tourism, ICT, agriculture, agri-food, education, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy as potential sectors for collaboration. FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin called for a new inclusion of the blue economy and plastics sector. He said Canada is one of the best countries in the world in terms of ocean economy. The country has the expertise and knowledge to use its marine resources in a sustainable manner. On the other hand, the FBCCI chief said Bangladesh has a 710-km long coastline with an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles inside the Bay of Bengal. But most of the resources are untapped. “With Canadian investment, technical knowledge and assistance, Bangladesh's economy will move forward by utilizing its marine resources.” He said the FBCCI would soon submit a sector-wise report on the blue economy, plastics and tourism to the working committee. FBCCI Director Syed Almas Kabir will also submit a report on skills development and information technology at the next meeting. The two sides agreed to strengthen interactions between industry associations to remove trade barriers and increase import-export between two countries. At the meeting, the entrepreneurs talked about making Canada's Rules of Origin easier to increase exports of Bangladeshi products, while Canada has demanded an on-arrival visa facility in Bangladesh to facilitate trade and investment. Read: FBCCI concerned over move to hike gas price During the meeting, a study report on the prospects of Bangladesh’s leather, leather products, and footwear export sector in Canada was presented by Md Saiful Islam, Director of FBCCI and President of MCCI, Dhaka. Chris Dekker, President, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) presented another report on Bilateral Trade Enhancement. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on February 7 this year.

Netherlands has put emphasis on an accommodating business climate for foreign investment and trade, as well as adherence to global labour and environmental standards, to attract more foreign investment and business to Bangladesh. The Bangladesh side underscored the need for promoting responsible business conduct in the global supply chain and for continued international support measures after its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Bangladesh and the Netherlands held the Foreign Office Consultations on Thursday virtually and discussed the issues. Both countries shared their concerns about recent developments in Myanmar, including the serious challenges these developments pose for the safe, sustainable, dignified and voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homeland. Also read: Dutch investors urged to invest in Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector for growth, diversification The two countries also reiterated their continued commitment to justice and accountability for the human rights violations committed in Myanmar. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Ambassador Masud Bin Momen while the Netherlands delegation was led by the Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paul Huijts. The fourth round of Foreign Office Consultations took place amid Bangladesh’s Golden Jubilee and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary celebrations, and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Netherlands and Bangladesh have maintained an enduring friendship over the course of those 50 years, marked by a significant Dutch role in Bangladesh’s early infrastructural development and water management and food security efforts, now considered key successes for both countries. Also read: Dutch NGOs reiterate support to Bangladesh Both delegation leaders acknowledged the impact COVID-19 has had on their societies and shared their views on post-COVID-19 economic recovery to ‘build back better’. They noted the strong ties between the two countries over the past 50 years and elaborated on political and economic developments as well as the evolving nature of the bilateral relationship, with a shift from development cooperation to economic cooperation. Both sides agreed to continue exchanging views on human rights and rule of law, including in multilateral fora. The delegations held an in-depth discussion on how to further strengthen the economic ties and knowledge exchange in a wide variety of areas, including water management, agriculture, digitalisation and climate adaptation. The Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 was specifically discussed as a key vehicle for integrating cooperation on water management and food security. Also read: Swedish, Dutch envoys for maintaining focus on Rohingya crisis until their repatriation The two delegation leaders discussed developments in the region, including the current focus on increasing cooperation and connectivity between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region. The Netherlands expressed its gratitude for Bangladesh’s hospitality towards the Rohingya people and noted ongoing discussions on humanitarian issues between the international donor community and Bangladesh. The Foreign Office Consultations underlined the willingness of both countries to explore and take up opportunities to further deepen and diversify the bilateral ties.