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The Netherlands has expressed interest in providing technical assistance for the Teesta project, a proposal welcomed by Bangladesh during a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and a Dutch delegation at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The delegation was led by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma.
The two sides discussed a possible feasibility study for the Teesta project and the Netherlands’ potential role in sharing technical expertise and knowledge. Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Shahadat Swadhin briefed reporters on the meeting.
Discussions covered trade and investment, water resource management, a possible free trade agreement, renewable energy, agriculture and the Rohingya crisis, alongside other issues of mutual interest.
Sjoerdsma said the time was right to strengthen bilateral relations through increased investment and cooperation. He noted that the two countries could work together on water resource management, transboundary rivers, democracy and economic development.
Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh and the Netherlands were both delta countries, creating opportunities to address shared challenges and exchange experience. He expressed particular interest in the Netherlands’ expertise in land reclamation.
Sjoerdsma stressed the importance of greater knowledge-sharing and cooperation in water resource management, land reclamation, char development and climate-resilient river management.
The meeting also discussed trade relations between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU), including the possibility of a free trade agreement. Bangladesh sought the Netherlands’ support in this regard, while the Dutch minister expressed interest in free trade.
Sjoerdsma also enquired about the government’s measures to address Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis and praised the country’s renewable energy plans.
On the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh reiterated that its root cause lay in Myanmar and that a sustainable solution must also be found there. The government reaffirmed its position on ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya people.
Both sides stressed the need to strengthen diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels to resolve the crisis.
Agricultural cooperation was another topic of discussion. The Netherlands expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh and exploring opportunities to share its expertise and technology in the sector.
The meeting also addressed the consolidation of democracy and the protection of human rights in Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had experienced human rights violations in the past and that his government was committed to protecting and strengthening human rights in the country.
At the end of the meeting, Sjoerdsma invited the prime minister to visit the Netherlands.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel and relevant officials were present at the meeting.
