Diplomatic Desk:
Discussions were held regarding deepening the economic partnership between Bangladesh and the Netherlands, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and strengthening cooperation to tackle the impacts of climate change.
On Tuesday (October 13, 2026), the Netherlands’ Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Joris van Bommel, the Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh, was also present during the meeting.
Noting the assumption of office by new governments in both nations, the two sides expressed interest in harnessing new potentials within their bilateral relationship. Emphasis was placed on expanding trade and investment in sectors such as shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure, the textile industry, water management, semiconductors, and agricultural supply chains—particularly the development of cold chain infrastructure.
The Dutch Minister mentioned a planned visit to Bangladesh by a delegation focused on maritime trade. He also expressed interest in organizing potential visits related to the textile and water management sectors. Sjoerd Sjoerdsma further expressed his expectation that the strategic partnership between the two countries would be further strengthened over the next 50 years.
From the Bangladeshi side, emphasis was placed on expanding cooperation in the shipbuilding and semiconductor sectors, as well as on the Netherlands’ continued support for the development of the country’s ready-made garment industry.
During the meeting, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs sought Dutch support for extending the timeline for Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. Simultaneously, considering the impact of recent global crises, he requested cooperation in advancing discussions regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU).
Appreciating the long-standing cooperation between the two nations in the water sector, both sides discussed ways to enhance technical collaboration in water and delta management within the context of climate change. In this context, the exchange of mutual experience and expertise regarding various water management initiatives—including canal excavation—was highlighted. The State Minister for Foreign Affairs noted that water management is one of the Prime Minister’s top priorities.
The Rohingya crisis was also discussed during the meeting. Both sides emphasized the need for the international community’s continued engagement to achieve a sustainable solution to the crisis.
Additionally, the State Minister outlined the Prime Minister’s expectations regarding the establishment of good governance. Views were also exchanged on migration, strengthening cooperation in multilateral forums, Bangladesh’s presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly, progress in the UN reform process, and other international issues.
