Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed the need for introducing direct air link between Bangladesh and Canada for the mutual benefits of the people of the two countries.

The Prime Minister came up with the view when newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit-Pierre Laramee met her at her office, reports UNB.

After the meeting, Prime Minister's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

He said Sheikh Hasina congratulated the newly elected government of Canada through the envoy and hoped the ties between Bangladesh and Canada would reach a new height under new Prime Minister Justin Pierre James Trudeau’s leadership.

Hasina said a large number of Bangladeshis are living in Canada contributing to the economies of both the countries.

She appreciated contribution of the Canadian government to the development efforts of Bangladesh and said her government gave top priority to education to achieve desired development.

Saying that Bangladesh's main export product is readymade garments, the Prime Minister underlined the need for finding new areas like IT, software and leather goods sectors.

Hasina said the gap between rural and urban people in Bangladesh is narrowing while migration rate from rural areas to urban ones is declining due to huge job creation.

The Prime Minister also recalled the contributions of the Canadian government during the Great War of Liberation in 1971.

Benoit-Pierre Laramee said the newly elected Prime Minister of Canada wants to work with Bangladesh on clean environment and climate change issue.

Laramee also said Bangladesh is the leader of UN Peacekeeping mission while Canada values partnership with Bangladesh to ensure regional security. It wants to work with Bangladesh on a number of sectors like gender equity and health sector, the envoy said.

About airport security which is drawing international attention, Laramee highly appreciated the significant measures taken by the government of Bangladesh in this regard.

He also lauded Bangladesh's stunning successes in various sectors.