Bangladesh, Netherlands reaffirm commitment to strengthen migration cooperation, human capital development

Dhaka: Bangladesh and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on migration and human capital development as both countries seek to deepen their longstanding bilateral partnership.

The issue was discussed during a courtesy call by Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on June 9, read a foreign ministry release.

Dominique Kuhling, Director for Asia and Oceania at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is on a visit to Bangladesh from June 8 to 10, also attended the meeting.

According to the foreign ministry, the two sides held wide-ranging discussions on migration cooperation, human capital development, women’s empowerment, semiconductor technology, education, sports, and people-to-people exchanges, alongside political and economic issues.

The talks also covered the Bangladesh-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, and opportunities for expanding trade and investment.

State Minister Shama Obaed Islam appreciated the Netherlands’ longstanding support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in democratic transition, sustainability in the industrial sector, agriculture, and water management.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties through sustained high-level engagement and enhanced cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral forums.

The state minister also thanked the Netherlands for its continued support for the Rohingya refugees and host communities, reiterating the importance of ensuring the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the displaced people to Myanmar.

Earlier, the visiting Dutch delegation met with Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East, West) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and exchanged views on advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.