Netherlands promises 30mn euros

The Netherlands has promised Bangladesh 30 million euros as aid for various development projects.

A visiting official delegation from the Netherlands gave this assurance during a meeting with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

The minister said that a 15-member team from the Netherland’s International Cooperation, led by Deputy Director General Christiaan Rebergen, is currently touring Bangladesh.

Bangladesh exports goods worth $858 million annually to the Netherlands, while importing about $162 million worth of goods from that country.

“The country has agreed to give 30 million euros for various development projects in Bangladesh,” the minister said, expressing the hope that trade with the Netherlands would increase by another one billion dollars.

Besides, the Netherlands has also promised to help arrest river erosion.

The district of Bhola has about one trillion cu ft of gas. Russia is digging well No. 3 there and will work on the fourth also.

Netherlands keen on deep sea port

The Netherlands has expressed interest in constructing a deep sea port, Tofail Ahmed said.

However, he did not elaborate on the port’s location.

Ahmed said extensive discussions had been held with the visiting team on Bangladesh’s economic development.

Japan to get Special Economic Zone

The commerce minister said new vistas had opened up in Japan-Bangladesh relations following Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Dhaka.

Japan has been Bangladesh’s single largest foreign donor so far, he said.

“The country had helped us during the Liberation War. After independence, Japan has helped the most in rebuilding Bangladesh,” he added.

Japan would be offered a Special Economic Zone to enable its big companies set up factories here, Ahmed said.

The Japanese establishments would enjoy the same facilities that Bangladeshi companies do.