Canada has announced a grant of 45 million Canadian dollars, or approximately 390 crore Bangladeshi Taka, for agricultural innovation, economic reforms, business financing, and trade expansion in Bangladesh. This assistance was declared under four new initiatives during the visit of Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, Randeep Sarai, to Bangladesh.
This information was announced in a press release issued by the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday (October 18).
The release stated that Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, Randeep Sarai, visited Bangladesh from October 11 to 14. His visit aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and create new opportunities for development and prosperity for their people.
Among the four initiatives, Bioenterprise Canada will receive an 18 million Canadian dollar grant. The objective of this initiative is to strengthen food security by connecting innovators in Canada’s agricultural sector with Bangladesh’s agriculture and food sector.
Additionally, Cowater International will be provided with 18 million Canadian dollars to improve the business environment, simplify regulations, and enhance the access of Bangladeshi businesses to international markets, including Canada.
The World Bank will receive 5 million Canadian dollars to advance priority initiatives for economic and institutional reforms. Concurrently, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will be provided with 4 million Canadian dollars to foster private sector development and increase financing opportunities for businesses.
The Canadian High Commission’s statement also mentioned that friendly relations and development cooperation between Bangladesh and Canada have continued for over five decades. Since Bangladesh’s independence, Canada has provided over 6.3 billion Canadian dollars in development assistance. In 2025, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries exceeded 4 billion Canadian dollars.
During his visit, Parliamentary Secretary Sarai toured BRAC’s skill development training center in Ashkona, Dhaka. He observed how young people, especially women, are acquiring skills with Canada’s support to create employment opportunities. As part of a larger initiative involving Canada, BRAC, and Australia, 44 million Canadian dollars in assistance has been provided over the past five years for the development of disadvantaged communities in Bangladesh.
The Parliamentary Secretary also visited the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) in Dhaka. He learned about how Canadian-supported research contributes to innovations in affordable and life-saving healthcare.
Canada has provided a 15 million Canadian dollar grant for icddr,b’s institutional operations. Additionally, the organization has received another 24 million Canadian dollars in support for sexual and reproductive health research.
During his visit to Cox’s Bazar, Parliamentary Secretary Sarai met with Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh. He was also informed about Canada’s assistance of over 600 million Canadian dollars since 2018 for expanding education, skills training, and livelihood opportunities for Rohingya refugees and host communities.
During this time, he held a meeting with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman. Discussions in the meeting focused on further strengthening cooperation among Canada, Bangladesh, and regional partners to address the Rohingya crisis.
The Canadian Parliamentary Secretary also visited an exhibition center of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Cox’s Bazar. He witnessed how research helps farmers increase crop production, meet food demands, and combat the effects of climate change. CIMMYT will work with Bioenterprise Canada to expand the use of innovative methods and technologies in agriculture to boost food production and economic opportunities in Bangladesh.
Towards the end of his visit to Dhaka, Parliamentary Secretary Sarai visited Gildan Activewear Bangladesh Limited. The company is known as Canada’s largest investor in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector, with manufacturing and information technology operations in the country.
During the visit, discussions revolved around expanding trade and investment between the two countries, fostering business growth, and creating employment opportunities. Emphasis was also placed on enhancing worker skills and ensuring a favorable environment for business and investment.
Canada’s new grants and ongoing cooperative activities are expected to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries in the development of Bangladesh’s agriculture, health, employment, and private sectors.
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