Canada has expressed strong interest in scaling up bilateral trade and investment with Bangladesh as Canadian Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for International Trade and Chief Trade Commissioner Sara Wilshaw visited the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) on Sunday.

Wilshaw held an interactive meeting with DCCI Acting President Razeev H Chowdhury at the chamber’s Gulshan Centre, joined by Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh.

During the meeting, Razeev said Bangladesh–Canada trade reached USD 2.22 billion in FY2024, with Bangladesh exporting USD 1.32 billion and importing USD 901.09 million. Canada is also Bangladesh’s 20th largest source of FDI, with total stock standing at USD 132.83 million, he added.

He highlighted significant opportunities for Canadian investors in renewable energy, green technology, waste management, automotive components, education, healthcare, medical equipment, financial services, IT and digital infrastructure, smart logistics, warehousing and cold chain systems.

He said Canada could further source leather goods, jute products, ceramics, furniture, high-end RMG, pharmaceuticals, processed and frozen food, software and BPO services from Bangladesh.

Wilshaw said most Canadian companies are SMEs, with the USA being the top destination for Canadian exports and FDI. But diversifying markets and products has become crucial, she noted.

She said Canada has strong capabilities in education, automotive manufacturing and food processing, and sees scope to collaborate with Bangladesh on skills development and supply chain enhancement.

The Canadian automotive industry is also seeking new markets, where Bangladesh could be a promising destination, she added.

High Commissioner Ajit Singh stressed stronger chamber-to-chamber links to deepen business ties.

He said Bangladesh’s private sector is the engine of its economic growth, and Canada is keen to work on skills training, technical assistance, vocational education, nursing, agro-tech and improving the ease of doing business.

He said both countries have significant potential to elevate bilateral trade in the coming years.

DCCI Vice President Md. Salim Sulaiman, members of the Board of Directors and Debra Boyce, Counsellor and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian High Commission, were also present.