Prof Yunus seeks 'big investment' from Canada

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today called Canada to invest in Bangladesh in an effort to help rebuild the country's economy.

The chief adviser made the call when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls called on the head of the interim government at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

During the meeting, Professor Yunus recalled his long relationships with Canada including its top politicians and development agencies, saying his government needs Canadian support to boost economic growth.

He said his story has been included in the Canadian school textbooks.

"We need big investment," he said, adding 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 damaged by the previous regime and was "bringing order and clarity in governance."

The Canadian high commissioner said her government was ready to support the chief adviser and the interim government. Canada would be keen to boost food security in Bangladesh by supplying fertilisers and essential commodities, she added.

She also said Bangladesh must ensure labour rights in factories in an effort to continue to enjoy trade preferences from the North American country.

Professor Yunus said his government would uphold labour rights in line with the ILO (International Labour Organisation) standards in order to address concerns of the brands who purchase clothing from Bangladesh and international investors.

Nicholls said Canada was also interested in supporting the UN fact-finding mission on its move to establish justice and accountability on the massacre committed in July and August.

Chief Adviser Yunus said the students-led revolution has ushered in a new era of hope for the country. "These are historical opportunities. These chances may never come back," he said.

He also said important electoral reforms will be carried out before the country goes to vote. Under the previous government, "the election commission turned into an election manipulation commission," he said.

The Canadian high commissioner expressed her "deep concern" over the security situation in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh's southeast and escalating violence affecting Rohingyas living in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

She said Canada has contributed more than 600 million dollars for Rohingya humanitarian responses and called for livelihood opportunities for the Rohingya people.

Then the chief Adviser called for easing overcrowding in the Rohingya camps by relocating some Rohingya from the Coz's Bazar camps. He said his government would do its best to provide hope to the Rohingya young people.