DHAKA, Dec 17, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought to share Dutch expertise in water management particularly to check the endemic river erosion and implement Bangladesh’s long-term Delta Plan-2100 as newly-appointed Netherlands ambassador G. J. Hendrikus Harry called on her.
“We need Netherlands’s assistance in water management and checking river erosion in Bangladesh as well executing the Delta Plan-2100,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the envoy as saying while briefing reporters after the meeting at Ganabhaban here this morning.
The press secretary said the premier expressed gratitude to the Dutch government to help formulate Bangladesh’s Delta Plan-2100.
The new Dutch envoy assured of continuing assistance in implementing the Delta Plan-2100, saying Netherlands as well has an identical.
He put emphasis on continued international pressure on Myanmar to take back its Rohingya people from Bangladesh.
“The world community should continue pressure on Myanmar to take back its Rohingya nationals from Bangladesh,” he said.
Sheikh Hasina said China and India were constructing houses in Rakhaine State for the Rohingya people, while Japan also expressed desire to cooperate in this regard.
She welcomed the new Dutch ambassador in Dhaka and recalled with gratitude the Netherlands support to Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.
Pointing out the steps of the government in establishing 100 special economic zones across the country, she said lands were being allocated to encourage foreign investment in Bangladesh.
Harry highly lauded Bangladesh’s tremendous economic development under the Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, describing it as “amazing.
He particularly referred to Bangladesh’s success in agriculture and said Bangladesh has immense opportunities to develop further the sector.
The prime minister said Bangladesh needs more market facilities to sell its agro-based products.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned the BBIN and BCIM-EC initiatives saying that these would further boost connectivity of the countries of this region.
The Dutch ambassador said he would continue to work for further strengthening the ties between Bangladesh and the Netherlands and handed over a letter of Dutch Queen Maxima to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present on the occasion.