United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and the Netherlands on Thursday discussed political and economic developments, Bangladesh-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), LDC graduation, migration cooperation, human capital development, semiconductor technology, education and sports, and regional and multilateral issues. The issues were discussed when Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry in the afternoon. The Dutch envoy briefed the State Minister on the upcoming visit of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador congratulated the State Minister on his recent assumption of office and expressed confidence in further strengthening Bangladesh-Netherlands relations. He appreciated the Netherlands’ longstanding support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in democratic transition, trade and investment, sustainable industrial development, water and agriculture. The State Minister also thanked the Netherlands for its continued support to the Rohingya and host communities and reiterated the importance of safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar. The Ambassador reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in water management, agriculture, shipping, maritime infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement and enhanced cooperation in bilateral and multilateral fora.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has launched the "Bangladesh Trade Facilitation," a new agriculture and economic development project funded by the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. US Ambassador Earl R Miller joined the minister at the inaugural ceremony held at a Dhaka hotel Wednesday. Tipu emphasised the government's "commitment to ensuring self-sufficiency in food production, supplying safe and nutritious food as well as commercialising the agriculture sector, making it a profitable venture for poor farmers." Noting the investment from the American people, Ambassador Miller, in turn, confirmed the US government's support for Bangladesh's reform measures and promotion of a business-friendly trade environment. "This project will facilitate and incentivise investment, construction, and the operation of new cold storage facilities to improve and expand on Bangladesh's refrigerated logistics network," Miller added. Also read: Bangladesh-Bhutan Dialogue held in Bumthang to promote trade, investment