The Netherlands has expressed interest in conducting a feasibility study on the Teesta project and providing technical assistance and knowledge to Bangladesh, a move welcomed by the government during a bilateral meeting on Tuesday.
The offer came as a Dutch delegation led by Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Prime Minister’s Office in Secretariat.
Highlighting that both Bangladesh and the Netherlands are delta nations, Tarique noted that there is vast scope for collaboration and experience sharing to address shared challenges.
He expressed a particular interest in drawing upon Dutch expertise in land reclamation.
The Dutch minister stressed the importance of knowledge sharing, experience exchange, and expanding mutual co-operation in water resources management, land reclamation, char development, adaptive river management, and cross-border river management.
In this context, the government welcomed the Netherlands government’s interest in conducting a feasibility study on the Teesta project alongside providing technical assistance and knowledge. Beyond water resource management, the meeting covered broader economic and bilateral co-operation.
On trade relations with the European Union (EU), the Dutch minister expressed interest in free trade, while both sides discussed the possibility of signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU, with Bangladesh seeking Dutch co-operation in this regard.
Inquiring about government initiatives to tackle Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis, he commended the country’s renewable energy plans.
The Netherlands also expressed interest in co-operating in the agricultural sector by leveraging Dutch technological expertise and experience.
On the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh reiterated that the root cause of the issue lies in Myanmar, where a sustainable solution must also be found to ensure safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
Discussions were also held on consolidating democracy and protecting human rights in Bangladesh.
Tarique said BNP, as a political party, had been a victim of human rights violations in the past, affirming that his government is committed to protecting and consolidating human rights considering that experience.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Dutch minister extended an invitation to Tarique to visit the Netherlands.
The meeting was attended by Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel, and other concerned officials.
