Canada showcases wheat to Bangladesh

Mohammed Sayedul Hoque, a lawmaker and chairman of parliamentary standing committee on the food and disaster management ministry, speaks at a training session on the uses of Canadian wheat at the Westin Hotel in the city yesterday. Janet Durno, chargé d'affaires of Canadian High Commission, was also present at the event. Photo: CanCham

Bangladesh's flour millers and bakers can import high-quality wheat from Canada to ensure quality of end products, experts said yesterday.
Bangladesh imported 13 lakh tonnes of wheat in 2010 from the North American country, which could be more than 10 lakh tonnes in 2011.
Senior officials of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) said Bangladesh can buy more wheat from Canada not only for quality flour but also to ensure a smooth supply.
Their comments came at a presentation on Canadian wheat at the Westin hotel in Dhaka.
The Canadian High Commission in Bangladesh, in association with CWB and CIGI, organised the day-long technical training session for wheat millers, bakers and lab technicians.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organisation sells grain to over 70 countries.
Wheat imports grew more than three times to over 30 lakh tonnes recently from below 10 lakh tonnes since the beginning of 2000, according to official estimates.
Graham Worden, senior manager of technical services at CWB, said Bangladesh is a “dedicated” user of Canadian wheat. "I hope its import growth will continue."
Canada has developed many varieties of wheat and they are of high quality, he said. "The quality system in our country has however restricted the number of varieties, so that we can maintain quality. We conduct various tests to ensure it."
Worden said the grading of wheat is administered by an independent third party and standards are based on scientific systems.
He said after meeting domestic demand, Canada exports 80 percent of its over 22 million tonnes of wheat production. "So, we need to maintain quality to compete with other exporters."
The official thinks Bangladeshi flour millers can import wheat from Canada, as high quality wheat accounts for over 70 percent of its total production.
Yvonne Supeene, a technical specialist on commercial baking technology of CIGI, said its high quality meets the requirements of all customers. "Customers want a smooth supply of quality flour so that they do not need to change the production stage. The change in supplier and grade affects their end products."
"Canadian wheat has a lot of strength when it comes to baking," she said.
Supeene said the consumption of wheat would grow in many countries, including Bangladesh, as the new generation grows.
Donald Bonner, an official of CWB, said Bangladesh has been a good market for Canada in the last few years.
Masud Rahman, president of Canada Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Canada and Bangladesh have a bright future for cooperation in areas such as technology and energy.
Bangladesh's exports to Canada are also growing with the country sending goods worth over $1 billion in 2011, Rahman said.
He said CanCham Bangladesh would organise 'Showcase Canada 2012' on March 4-5 and the 'Canada Business Awards' on March 6.
Mohammed Sayedul Hoque, a lawmaker and chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on food and disaster management ministry, gave away certificates among participants.
He said Bangladesh imported 13 lakh tonnes of wheat in 2010. "We are the single largest importer of Canadian wheat. This wheat is used for various purposes."
The lawmaker urged both importers and exporters of both the countries to take economic relations to a new height.
Janet Durno, charge de Affairs of Canadian High Commission, and Ashok Sarkar, head of the milling technology of CIGI, also spoke.