Denmark’s cooperation will play an effective role in addressing Dhaka’s growing demand for safe drinking water and the city’s water crisis, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Tuesday.

“Denmark can be an important partner of Bangladesh in water supply, waste management and development assistance,” he said during a meeting with Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Moller at his office at  Secretariat.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam was also present at the meeting.

The discussions focused on further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Denmark, expanding cooperation in water supply and waste management, and exploring Danish investment opportunities in development projects.

Ambassador Moller congratulated Moyeen Khan on assuming his new responsibility and expressed hope that bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries would be further strengthened.

 “There are also opportunities for Danish investment in producing energy from waste,” said the minister.

The meeting also discussed various aspects of Danish financing and cooperation for the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant Project (Phase-III).

Under the project, the Danish government will provide around Tk 4,500 crore in financing, including Tk 1,500 crore in grants and Tk 3,000 crore in low-interest loans.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam described Denmark’s cooperation in the third phase of the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant project as a major success for the government.

Once implemented, the project will significantly help meet the growing demand for safe drinking water in Dhaka, he said.

The state minister said the Danish financing would also reduce the financial burden on the government in implementing the project.