Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh yesterday sought the Netherlands’ support for extending its graduation period from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and advancing Bangladesh-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations amid mounting global economic challenges.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir made the request during a meeting with Dutch Minis-ter for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel also attended the meeting, according to a foreign ministry press release.
Kobir highlighted the impact of recent global crises on Bangladesh’s economy and underscored the im-portance of international cooperation in ensuring a smooth and sustainable transition from LDC status.
He sought Dutch backing for Bangladesh’s request to extend the LDC graduation period and support for making progress towards negotiations on a Bangladesh-EU FTA.
The two sides also expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation through increased trade, investment and technological partnerships.
They identified shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure, textiles, semiconductors, water management and agricultural supply chains, including cold-chain development, as priority areas for collaboration.
The Dutch minister highlighted the visit of a maritime trade mission and prospective visits focusing on textiles and water-related issues.
He expressed interest in strengthening the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and the Netherlands over the next 50 years.
