The Hague: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought more Dutch investment in Bangladesh’s different sectors and urged the Netherlands companies to import world class products from Bangladesh at a competitive price for further boosting trade ties between the two countries.

‘Bangladesh would welcome more Dutch companies to invest in pharmaceuticals, leather, agro-processing, light engineering, jute, power, energy, particularly renewable energy, infrastructure and shipping sectors,’ she said.

The Prime Minister made the request when Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen called on her at Grand Hotel Amrath Kurhaus in The Hague, the administrative capital of the Netherlands, on Wednesday.

After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

He said the Prime Minister observed that in addition to RMG products, the Dutch importers could import world class Bangladeshi products like pharmaceuticals, bicycles, jute and jute products, home textiles, frozen foods, footwear, ceramic, cable wire, PVC bag and motor parts at a competitive price.

Pointing out her government’s steps for the development of the country’s apparel sector, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has been making steadfast efforts in addressing workers rights, occupational safety, health, and structural integrity in responsible and result-oriented manner.

She also appreciated the Netherlands for convening a conference in Bangladesh to address the issue related to access, finance and fair prices in RMG sector.

The Dutch foreign trade minister highly praised the steps taken by the Bangladesh government in the apparel sector for ensuring the safety and security measures.

Referring to the Bangladesh government initiatives for ensuring food security, she assured that the Netherlands would assist Bangladesh in ensuring the quality of the food. Lilianne Ploumen lauded Bangladesh for attaining the MDG goals, particularly in poverty alleviation.

Later, Dutch Infrastructure and Environment Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the same hotel here.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister said that Bangladesh would like to have a stronger partnership with the Dutch government under the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 for long-term capacity-building through education and training within the framework of knowledge and innovative partnership.

She also said that agreement between the two countries to reform and upgrade the Bangladesh River Research Institute in Faridpur might open up new avenues of cooperation in water sector.

The Prime Minister sought cooperation from the Dutch minister for manufacturing dredger in Bangladesh. She also sought the Dutch assistance and cooperation in land reclamation in both sea and river.

Pointing out the ongoing cooperation in river research and land reclamation between the two countries, Melanie Schultz van Haegen said that her government would provide more support to implement Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Water Resources M Nazrul Islam, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Commerce Secretary Hedayet Ullah Al Mamun, Shipping Secretary Shafiq Alam Mehedi, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Huq, Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral M Nizamuddin Ahmed and Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Muhammad Belal were present, among others, during the meetings.

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