DHAKA: Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Benoît-Pierre Laramée opined violence during hartal and blockade would impede the economic development of Bangladesh.

He came up with the assertion at ‘Showcase Canada 2015’ program organized by Bangladesh-Canada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CanCham) on Sunday.

The diplomat said that the ongoing political violence is unexpected.

He also hoped that this violence should come to an end immediately.

Mentioning the sufferings of the common people, Laramée said that most of the victims are poor. He also expressed his deep concern on the political unrest in the country.

Answering a query to a journalist he said that there are lots of opportunities for Canadians to invest in Bangladesh’s ‘blue economy’ and IT sectors.

However, Canada is working together to accelerate Bangladesh’s growth and achieve middle income country soon, he added.

There are many opportunities for Bangladeshi and Canadian business to find mutually beneficial areas of cooperation and trade.

Laramée further said that Canada-Bangladesh bilateral trade surpassed 1.9 billion Canadian dollars in 2014 where the amount was only 605 millions in 2004.

He also mentioned that most of the Bangladeshi products got a duty-free access in Canada.

Bangladesh-Canada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CanCham) President Masud Rahman were among others present at the program.

BDST: 1941 HRS, FEB 15, 2015