The Netherlands To Participate In More Development Projects In Bangladesh

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte gave the assurance in a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the ASEM Summit at the Milano Congressi in Italy on Thursday evening, according to a message received here today.

After the meeting, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque briefed the newsmen. PM's Deputy Press Secretary Bijan Lal Dev was also present.

Highly appreciating Bangladesh's tremendous success in socioeconomic development, the Dutch Premier expressed optimism that Bangladesh is going to be one of the next "eleven members" in terms of achieving economic prosperity.

Mark Rutte termed Bangladesh's innovation on agricultural research and development as well as experience in addressing climate change and flood as unique.

"The Netherlands has lot of things to learn from Bangladesh," he said.

In this connection, the Dutch Premier said his country wants to follow innovative and greener way of addressing floods without constructing embankments.

In reply, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said her government has been implementing people centric, job and education-oriented development programmes.

"A revolution has been created in Bangladesh on the use of mobile phones and ICT," she noted.

About regional cooperation, Sheikh Hasina mentioned such cooperation is a priority of her government and said regional connectivity with neighboring countries can play a significant role in the development.

She also mentioned her government's zero tolerance policy against terrorism and said the problems could be solved by creating awareness through discussion with the community-based Imams.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder and Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Shahadat Hossain were present.

Rupanti, daughter of Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was present also on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with other leaders of the ASEM joined a gala dinner hosted by Italian President Giorgio Nepolitano at Sala Delle Cariatidi Thursday night.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)