Netherlands offers technical support for Teesta project

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 with the European Union (EU), renewable energy, agriculture and the Rohingya crisis.

Sjoerdsma said the time was right to strengthen bilateral relations through increased investment and cooperation, particularly in 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 experiences. He expressed particular interest in the Netherlands’ expertise in land reclamation.

Sjoerdsma stressed the importance of knowledge-sharing and cooperation in water resource management, land reclamation, char development and climate-resilient river management.

The meeting also discussed Bangladesh’s trade relations with the EU, including the possibility of a free trade agreement. Bangladesh sought the Netherlands’ support in exploring the proposal, 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 be found there. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels.

The Netherlands also expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh’s agricultural sector by sharing its expertise and technology.

The meeting addressed democratic consolidation and human rights protection 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.