Desk Report:
A delegation led by the Netherlands’ Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. During the meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday (October 13, 2026), discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including the expansion of trade and investment between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
The meeting highlighted the potential for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as water resource management, transboundary river management, land reclamation, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Bangladesh welcomed the Netherlands government’s interest in conducting a feasibility study for the Teesta project and providing the necessary expertise and technical assistance. The potential to leverage Dutch experience in water resource management and river-centric development was also a key topic of discussion.
Additionally, both sides exchanged views on expanding trade relations with the European Union, a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, and the protection of democracy and human rights.
The meeting explored the potential to further strengthen economic ties between the two nations through enhanced cooperation in relevant sectors. In particular, the exchange of mutual experiences in trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, and water resource management could pave the way for new avenues of future collaboration.
Towards the end of the meeting, Dutch Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit the Netherlands.
