The new Netherlands ambassador in Dhaka, Harry Verweij, said Bangladesh has done a lot to attract investment but it needs more efforts to address issues like corruption and transparency.
Terming Bangladesh a country of opportunity, he said business environment needs to be improved further for long-term investment by foreign companies.
Mr Verweij was speaking at 'DCAB Talk' hosted by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.
He lauded Bangladesh for sheltering the Rohingya, who fled violence in Myanmar, and its continued support to overcome the crisis.
"A hope that resonates among the Rohingya community that the International Criminal Court (ICC) would bring perpetrators to justice," he mentioned.
About human rights issues, the Dutch envoy said, for the Netherlands, human rights are a corner stone of human dignity, freedom and development.
"This is why, freedom of expression and internet freedom has been a priority for us," he cited.
"Bangladesh ranks 150th in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index. To improve, we must allow space for others to give their opinion and right to disagree."
Nobody should get offended by the truth or at another's message and creative indulgence, Mr Verweij said as freedom to express is directly linked to fostering human rights and democracy.
He said the Netherlands remains committed to standing by Bangladesh in its effort to address the Rohingya crisis and improve human rights and democracy.
As Bangladesh has become a middle-income country and would graduate out of the group of least developed countries, he said, the Netherlands are transitioning policies towards Bangladesh.
"No longer will the main focus be on development cooperation and on a donor-recipient relationship only. We see Bangladesh as an equal partner."
The dignitary mentioned that his country's "focus will be on aid to trade and Bangladesh's upward growth fits in with our role".
Dwelling with the Delta Plan, the dignitary said, "Our experience has led to a fundamental Dutch commitment to Bangladesh on its long-term vision for development of the Delta plan."
"The cooperation on the implementation of the Delta Plan 2100 is not just a potentiality for a distant future, but a reality at this very moment."
The Delta plan will be launched this year.
Bangladesh and Dutch teams are currently working together on the project.
On bilateral trade ties, Mr Verweij said his country would focus on advanced maritime industries and formidable agro-food industries here.
The Dutch private sector can play a role in areas like maritime development and inland water transport in Bangladesh.
At present, Dutch companies are engaged in port development in Chittagong and Payra.
At the same time, the Netherlands supports capacity development and knowledge generation for maritime development.
Mr Verweij said, "Bangladesh is a country with a young population and fertile ground of young entrepreneurs. Indeed, its strength lies in younger generation and we all should tap in."
Recalling Holland's close ties with Bangladeshi people, he said William AS Ouderland, a Dutch citizen working as the production manager of Bata Shoe Company, actively participated in the 1971 war.
"He was later given the Bir Protik Award by the government of Bangladesh."
Prof Willem Johan van Blommenstein, a Dutch water engineer, was one of the members of the UN mission that took place in 1956-1957 right after large-scale flooding in 1954 and 1955.
"The UN mission provided advice to the government about water and flood dynamics in East Pakistan that led to the Flood Action Plan."
"It also recommended setting up a department of waterways that led to the creation of Bangladesh Water Development Board," Mr Verweij recalled.
DCAB president Raheed Ejaz and general secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke at the event.
[email protected]
