Bangladesh PM Visits Maasvlakte

Minister Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure and the Environment accompanied Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh on a tour of the Delta Works and the Maasvlakte II project last week.

The two officials also discussed a declaration of intent aimed at assisting Bangladesh in its port development in the eastern part of the country.

Sheikh Hasina’s visit is a follow-up to the visit Ministers Schultz and Ploumen (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) paid to Bangladesh in June this year.

“At first sight, the water challenges faced by the Netherlands and Bangladesh are similar: low-lying, densely populated delta countries, major rivers flowing into the sea, a significant drift to the cities, a strategic position vis-à-vis the hinterland. As for scale and complexity, however, the taskings do not compare. Nonetheless, the two countries can benefit from closer collaboration,” Minister Schultz said.

Coalition

Minister Schultz discussed a declaration of intent to assist Bangladesh in the further development of its port infrastructure. The Netherlands commands a great deal of know-how in the field of (deep sea) ports.

The port infrastructure is of strategic importance to Bangladesh not only with respect to its clothing export industry, but also for the further economic development of the hinterland.

The two countries aim to intensify their collaboration by forging a coalition of both government parties and private parties.

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