The Netherlands in Bangladesh: From Traditional Aid to Responsible Trade

The relation between the Netherlands and Bangladesh has undergone a considerable transition during the last couple of years. For the Netherlands, Bangladesh is increasingly becoming not only a priority country in terms of development cooperation, but has also become a dynamic economic partner. Our strong engagement is reflected over the last few years as the Netherlands has consistently been in the top five largest foreign investors in Bangladesh and there are currently more than 70 Dutch companies investing in the country.  We are also honoured that our embassy has won the Fenedex Award. This prize is awarded every two years by the Dutch private sector for the best economic services provided by a Dutch Embassy.    
Our existing relation can be highlighted through the high level visits undertaken in 2015. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the Netherlands in November 2015 while the Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, and Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen visited Bangladesh in mid-June.
These visits have not only strengthened our relations but also added a new dimension to our strategic partnership. Minister Ploumen is personally very engaged with Bangladesh, also with regard to improving working conditions in the Ready Made Garments sector.
The Minister visited Bangladesh thrice in the last three years with another visit expected in September 2016. The Netherlands also seeks to involve the private sector in its development cooperation programs. The strength of these programs is that they can function as a gateway for entrepreneurs. The Netherlands has expertise in different sectors that are leading the way in terms of innovation and sustainability.
Water:
Through the years our relationship, especially with regard to water, has only become closer. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between Bangladesh and The Netherlands on the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 is a clear example of this. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to the Netherlands had observed our Delta Works and committed to establishing a Bangladesh Delta Fund and Commission with a dedicated budget of 2% of GDP. Bangladesh and the Netherlands also have a long history of participatory water management in coastal and river management as well as rural drinking water and sanitation.
Through our Water Sanitation and Hygiene programs, more than 26 million people have gained access to hygienic latrines and 1.5 million people gained access to safe water across 175 sub-districts. In recent times we have started to collaborate on clean water technologies in the textile sector as well as urban drinking water and dredging. We look forward to continue our collaboration on these and many other water related opportunities.
Food Security:
Since the Netherlands and Bangladesh are both fertile deltas with high agricultural potential, the Dutch government is very committed to share the Dutch knowledge and expertise that make us the second largest agricultural exporter in the world, after the United States. We aim to contribute to improved food security by increasing agricultural productivity, developing value chains as well as reducing malnutrition and stunting. In order to be successful, we work with partners from the private sector, NGOs, and the Government of Bangladesh.
Economic cooperation:
As Bangladesh is on its way to achieve middle-income status, the economic relations between our countries undergo significant change. We gradually move from a relationship based on development cooperation to an economic partnership on equal terms. Against this background, our economic objective is to assist Bangladesh to achieve sustainable and pro-poor economic growth through trade, investment and cooperation.
Our embassy here in Dhaka stimulates these developments by providing information about business opportunities to interested companies and by serving as a matchmaker to facilitate exchanges between companies, knowledge institutes and other organizations. At the same time, we believe economic development should go hand in hand with improving labor and environmental standards. Efforts are being made to stimulate CSR awareness and behavior throughout all the embassy activities, with special attention for the Ready Made Garments sector.
Through a co-funding arrangement with DFID and Canada, the Embassy supports the major ILO program for improving labor conditions in this area.

The Netherlands in Bangladesh: From Traditional Aid to Responsible Trade

The relation between the Netherlands and Bangladesh has undergone a considerable transition during the last couple of years. For the Netherlands, Bangladesh is increasingly becoming not only a priority country in terms of development cooperation, but has also become a dynamic economic partner. Our strong engagement is reflected over the last few years as the Netherlands has consistently been in the top five largest foreign investors in Bangladesh and there are currently more than 70 Dutch companies investing in the country. We are also honoured that our embassy has won the Fenedex Award. This prize is awarded every two years by the Dutch private sector for the best economic services provided by a Dutch Embassy. Our existing relation can be highlighted through the high level visits undertaken in 2015. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the Netherlands in November 2015 while the Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, and Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen visited Bangladesh in mid-June. These visits have not only strengthened our relations but also added a new dimension to our strategic partnership. Minister Ploumen is personally very engaged with Bangladesh, also with regard to improving working conditions in the Ready Made Garments sector. The Minister visited Bangladesh thrice in the last three years with another visit expected in September 2016. The Netherlands also seeks to involve the private sector in its development cooperation programs. The strength of these programs is that they can function as a gateway for entrepreneurs. The Netherlands has expertise in different sectors that are leading the way in terms of innovation and sustainability. Water: Through the years our relationship, especially with regard to water, has only become closer. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between Bangladesh and The Netherlands on the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 is a clear example of this. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to the Netherlands had observed our Delta Works and committed to establishing a Bangladesh Delta Fund and Commission with a dedicated budget of 2% of GDP. Bangladesh and the Netherlands also have a long history of participatory water management in coastal and river management as well as rural drinking water and sanitation. Through our Water Sanitation and Hygiene programs, more than 26 million people have gained access to hygienic latrines and 1.5 million people gained access to safe water across 175 sub-districts. In recent times we have started to collaborate on clean water technologies in the textile sector as well as urban drinking water and dredging. We look forward to continue our collaboration on these and many other water related opportunities. Food Security: Since the Netherlands and Bangladesh are both fertile deltas with high agricultural potential, the Dutch government is very committed to share the Dutch knowledge and expertise that make us the second largest agricultural exporter in the world, after the United States. We aim to contribute to improved food security by increasing agricultural productivity, developing value chains as well as reducing malnutrition and stunting. In order to be successful, we work with partners from the private sector, NGOs, and the Government of Bangladesh. Economic cooperation: As Bangladesh is on its way to achieve middle-income status, the economic relations between our countries undergo significant change. We gradually move from a relationship based on development cooperation to an economic partnership on equal terms. Against this background, our economic objective is to assist Bangladesh to achieve sustainable and pro-poor economic growth through trade, investment and cooperation. Our embassy here in Dhaka stimulates these developments by providing information about business opportunities to interested companies and by serving as a matchmaker to facilitate exchanges between companies, knowledge institutes and other organizations. At the same time, we believe economic development should go hand in hand with improving labor and environmental standards. Efforts are being made to stimulate CSR awareness and behavior throughout all the embassy activities, with special attention for the Ready Made Garments sector. Through a co-funding arrangement with DFID and Canada, the Embassy supports the major ILO program for improving labor conditions in this area.