United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma on Tuesday discussed strengthening trade and investment ties, the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), cooperation on the Teesta project and the Rohingya crisis. The issues came up when Sjoerdsma paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his Secretariat office, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. Tarique Rahman welcomed the Netherlands’ interest in conducting a feasibility study for the Teesta project and providing technical assistance and sharing expertise in this regard. He said Bangladesh and the Netherlands are both delta countries, offering ample opportunities for cooperation in addressing common challenges and sharing experiences. The Prime Minister also expressed particular interest in the Netherlands’ experience in land reclamation. Sjoerdsma said it is the right time to further strengthen relations between the two countries by expanding investment and cooperation, particularly in water resource management, transboundary river management, democracy and economic development. He also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation and exchanging knowledge and experience in water resource management, land reclamation, char development and adaptive river management. Trade and investment The two sides also discussed free trade and Bangladesh’s trade relations with the EU. Sjoerdsma expressed interest in promoting free trade, while Bangladesh sought the Netherlands’ support in exploring the possibility of an FTA with the EU.