Bangladesh, Netherlands pledge closer cooperation in water resources management

Bangladesh and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in water resources management, with a focus on knowledge sharing, technology transfer, capacity building and sustainable river management.

The commitment came during a meeting between Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee and Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris Van Bommel at the Secretariat on Tuesday. State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad was also present.

During the meeting, the minister described the Netherlands as one of Bangladesh's trusted development partners and said the two countries enjoy longstanding and strong bilateral relations.

He called for enhanced cooperation in water resources management through the exchange of expertise, education, technological collaboration, professional training and research.

The minister said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has approved the Padma Barrage Project to fulfil a long-standing demand of people in the country's southwestern and northwestern regions. He also expressed hope that the Teesta Master Plan would be approved after the completion of necessary studies and assessments.

State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad recalled that Bangladesh and the Netherlands signed a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation in water resources management in 1977 during the presidency of Ziaur Rahman. He requested the Dutch government to continue its support for Bangladesh's socio-economic development.

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Ambassador Van Bommel said both Bangladesh and the Netherlands are delta countries with similar geographical characteristics. He expressed the Dutch government's interest in supporting Bangladesh in sustainable water resources management, riverbank protection and erosion control.

He also reaffirmed the Netherlands' commitment to continuing its cooperation in Bangladesh's socio-economic development.

Water Resources Secretary Dr AKM Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary Khondkar Azim Uddin and Additional Secretary Maha Enamul Haque were also present at the meeting.