Bangladesh and the Netherlands have pledged to strengthen cooperation in water resources management, with the Dutch side expressing interest in supporting sustainable water management, riverbank protection and river erosion prevention in Bangladesh.
The commitment came when Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris Van Bommel met Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad was present at the meeting.
Anee described the Netherlands as a trusted development partner of Bangladesh and said the two countries enjoy strong bilateral relations.
He called for greater cooperation in sharing experience in water resources management, education, technical assistance and professional skills development through training and research.
State Minister Azad said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman signed a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands in 1977 for technical cooperation in water resources management.
He urged the Netherlands to continue contributing to Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development as it had done in the past.
Dutch Ambassador Van Bommel said Bangladesh and the Netherlands are both delta countries and share similarities in their geographical characteristics.
He said the Dutch government was interested in working with Bangladesh on sustainable water resources management, riverbank protection and prevention of river erosion.
The envoy also expressed his commitment to continuing the Netherlands’ support for Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development.
Water Resources Secretary Dr AKM Shahabuddin and Additional Secretary Mohd Enamul Haque were present at the meeting.
