Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Wednesday thanked BNP for what he said its realisation that violent movement does not yield benefits.
“BNP has realised violent movement they had carried out before the January-5 elections brought no benefit for it. So we thank BNP,” he told a seminar at a city hotel.
Canadian High Commission in Dhaka arranged the national seminar, titled ‘Innovation and Agriculture’, with its High Commissioner Heather Cruden in the chair.
Turning to development issues, the Awami League leader said, “There’s hardly any difference in the views of Awami League and other political parties, including BNP, when it comes to development of the country’s agriculture and business.”
Tofail, also an AL Advisory Committee member, hoped that political parties will work together for the country’s economic development. “Many sectors in Bangladesh, especially agriculture, have achieved marked progress, paving the path for the country to emerge as a middle-income country within a few years.”
About Bangladesh-Canada bilateral ties, the minister said, “Canada is our trusted friend since our independence in 1971. Canada gives us duty- and quota-free access to their market.”
A delegation from the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) conducted a technical session at the seminar on wheat and flour quality optimisation, milling technology and innovative applications of Canadian field crops.
A guide book, ‘Basic Tests Used to Evaluate Wheat and Flour Quality’, published by the Canadian High Commission, in collaboration with Cigi, was launched at the seminar.
Speaking on the occasion, Heather Cruden said, “Canada is one of the top three wheat exporters on the planet, and the world’s largest producer of high-protein milling wheat. For over 100 years Canadian scientists have been working at developing crops adapted to the harsh Canadian environment.”
“The quality, nutritional value and versatility of Canadian grains make them essential ingredients for the finest foods and beverages the world can offer. And to make certain that all Canadian grain-based foods are safe, they’re closely monitored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Canada is a leader in innovation in agricultural commodities which can also benefit Bangladesh,” she added.
Canada remains the world’s sixth-largest exporter of wheat as it exports 2.7 percent of the total value of the world’s agriculture and agri-food exports.
Bangladesh’s export to Canada reached CAD 1.12 billion in 2013, 95 percent of it was readymade garments.
President of Bangladesh Agro-Processors’ Association (BAPA) Anjan Chowdhury, President of ICC Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman and Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University Prof Rafiqul Hoque were present at the programme as special guests.
Source: UNB
