Bangladesh, Netherlands discuss trade, Teesta, Rohingya

Bangladesh and the Netherlands discussed expanding bilateral trade and investment, a possible free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), cooperation on the Teesta project and the Rohingya crisis.
The issues were discussed when Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Sjoerdsma said it was an opportune time to strengthen bilateral ties through increased investment and cooperation – particularly in water resource management, transboundary river management, democracy and economic development.
The Bangladesh government welcomed the Netherlands’ interest in conducting a feasibility study for the Teesta project and providing technical assistance and expertise.
Noting that Bangladesh and the Netherlands are both delta countries, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the two nations had significant opportunities to share experiences and work together to address common challenges.

He expressed particular interest in the Netherlands’ expertise in land reclamation.
Sjoerdsma emphasised greater knowledge-sharing and cooperation in water resource management, land reclamation, char development and adaptive river management.
Trade also featured prominently in the discussions, with the Dutch minister expressing interest in expanding free trade.
The two sides discussed a possible FTA between Bangladesh and the EU, with Dhaka seeking Dutch support to advance the initiative.
Sjoerdsma also enquired about the government’s efforts to address Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis and praised its plans to expand renewable energy.
On the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh reiterated that the root of the problem lay in Myanmar and that a lasting solution must also be found there.

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