Netherlands pledges continued development cooperation

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DHAKA, Nov 5, 2018 (BSS) – Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Corporation Sigrid A. M. Kaag today said her country will continue its support to Bangladesh’s development strides as she paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban.

“We’ll continue our support to Bangladesh’s development efforts,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the Dutch minister as saying while briefing reporters after the meeting this evening.

Mrs Kaag mentioned that cooperation between the two countries has enhanced to a great extent over the last 10 years. “We want to further boost cooperation with Bangladesh in the fields of trade and development side by side with the Delta Plan-2100,” she said.

The Dutch minister said they are keen to do more business in Bangladesh and also want to work in the industrial sector.

She highly praised Bangladesh’s tremendous development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “The projects and plans you are undertaking are the ‘game changer’,” she said.

Mentioning that Bangladesh has many rivers, the prime minister said her government has adopted the Delta Plan considering the interest of the future generations.

“We’ve adopted the Delta Plan keeping in mind the change of the people’s need,” she said.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s tremendous development over the last 10 years, Sheikh Hasina said her main goal is to develop the country.

In this connection, the premier noted that her government is setting up 100 economic zones and providing lands for the investors.

“The foreign investors including the Dutch ones can build industries there for mutual benefits,” she said.

She mentioned her long struggle for restoration of democracy in the country.

Sheikh Hasina also recalled with gratitude that the Netherlands was one of the first European countries to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country.

PM’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammad Belal, BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman and Dutch Ambassador in Dhaka Harry Verweji were present on the occasion.