The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka today, accompanied by the Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh, Joris van Bommel.
Both officials noted that new governments had taken office in the Netherlands and Bangladesh in February 2026, signalling a fresh start for bilateral relations.
During the talks, the parties highlighted a range of sectors for deeper economic partnership, including shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure, textiles, water management, semiconductors and agricultural supply chains such as cold‑chain development.
The Dutch minister pointed to an upcoming maritime trade mission and prospective visits focused on textiles and water issues, emphasizing a strategic partnership that could span the next 50 years.
Bangladesh underscored its own priorities, seeking Dutch support for its shipbuilding and semiconductor ambitions and reaffirming continued backing for the apparel industry.
A key agenda item was Bangladesh’s request for Dutch assistance with extending its graduation from Least‑Developed Country status and advancing negotiations on a Bangladesh‑EU free‑trade agreement.
The two sides also praised long‑standing cooperation in the water sector, discussing technical collaboration on water and delta management, including canal excavation projects to address climate‑change impacts.
Finally, the ministers exchanged views on the Rohingya situation and Bangladesh’s active role in multilateral forums, notably its presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly and ongoing UN reform discussions.
Why it matters
The discussions aim to expand Bangladesh’s shipbuilding exports and secure Dutch support for its LDC graduation extension.