Bangladesh and the Netherlands on Tuesday reiterated their commitment to deepening their longstanding partnership through sustained high-level engagement and enhanced cooperation in bilateral and multilateral arenas.
The discussions covered political and economic developments, the Bangladesh-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Bangladesh’s Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation, migration cooperation, human capital development, women’s empowerment, semiconductor technology, education, sports, people-to-people exchanges, and regional and multilateral issues.
The talks took place during a courtesy call by Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dominique Kuhling, Director for Asia and Oceania at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Bangladesh from June 8–10, also attended the meeting, the Ministry said.
State Minister Shama Obaed Islam appreciated the Netherlands’ long-standing support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in democratic transition, trade and investment, sustainable industrial development, agriculture, and water management.
She also thanked the Netherlands for its continued assistance to Rohingya refugees and host communities, emphasising the importance of safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
Earlier, the Dutch delegation met Secretary (East, West) Md Nazrul Islam at the Ministry, exchanging views on advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
