City Desk :
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged Canada to invest in Bangladesh to help rebuild the country in view of the economic mess created by the ousted autocratic regime.
He made the request when Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Lilly Nicholls called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna here, reports BSS.
Prof Yunus recalled his long relationship with Canada, including its top politicians and development agencies, and said his story has been included in the Canadian school textbooks.
He said the interim government needs Canadian support to boost economic growth in Bangladesh.
“We need big investment,” the chief adviser’s press wing quoted Prof Yunus as saying.
The chief adviser said the interim government inherited an economy, which was in total mess with a huge amount of debt being accumulated.
“Our first priority is to fix the economy,” he said. He said the government was also restoring vital institutions broken by the previous regime and was “bringing order and clarity in governance.”
During the meeting, the Canadian high commissioner said her government was ready to support the chief adviser and the interim government of Bangladesh.
Canada would be keen to boost food security in Bangladesh by supplying fertilisers and essential commodities, she added.
Nicholls said Bangladesh must ensure labour rights in factories to continue to enjoy trade preferences from the North American country.