The Dutch Embassy orchestrated a seminar as a vital component of a three-day maritime event. This event seamlessly coincided with the commencement of Bangladesh International Marine And Offshore Expo (BIMOX) 2023, on Thursday, October 12, 2023.
During the seminar, impassioned speakers enthusiastically expounded on the tremendous potential inherent in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors. They fervently advocated for a synergistic partnership between the Netherlands, leveraging their invaluable knowledge and cutting-edge technology to fortify these vital industries.
Insights from Bangladesh seminar
Speakers of the passionately advocated for the Netherlands to collaborate with Bangladesh in unlocking the vast potential within its shipbuilding and ship recycling industries through the sharing of knowledge and technology.
Irma van Dueren, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, delivered a gracious welcome address, setting the stage for the informative deliberations that lay ahead. Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, illuminated the audience with a comprehensive overview of the activities unfolding during the Netherlands Marine Days in Bangladesh. His speech included the introduction of Dutch companies and organizations actively participating in the event.
Dutch expertise fuels vision of vibrant, green port cities in Bangladesh
Md Mostafa Kamal delivered a resounding message, affirming that the Netherlands is a steadfast ally of Bangladesh in domains as crucial as water management, river erosion prevention, and economic development. His parting words emphasized the need to bolster the channels of cooperation to achieve a stronger, more resilient alliance.
In his paper, Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam asserted, “There is vast potential in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors, contingent on the acquisition of knowledge and technology. In this pursuit, the Netherlands stands as a promising collaborator for Bangladesh.”
Evert den Broek passionately conveyed that the Dutch maritime sector is propelling a vision of the future where their innovations facilitate the creation of vibrant, green, and interconnected port cities, coupled with the development of intelligent and zero-emission shipping solutions.
The vibrant presence of fifteen Dutch Maritime companies participating in the seminar and expo serves as a testament to the robust bonds between both nations. Their involvement underscores a shared commitment to advancing the maritime and offshore industries, encompassing diverse sectors such as shipbuilding, port infrastructure, maritime technologies, delta management, and more.
This significant seminar was orchestrated in conjunction with a three-day exhibition that encompasses a spectrum of vital domains including ‘shipbuilding,’ ‘ship recycling,’ ‘offshore oil and gas support,’ ‘shipping, logistics, and port operations,’ and ‘fishing vessels and fisheries.’ This grand exhibition was inaugurated with aplomb at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s Exports to Netherland
Over the past 26 years, Bangladesh’s exports to the Netherlands have demonstrated a remarkable growth trajectory, increasing at an annualized rate of 9.78%. This upward trend saw exports surge from $148 million in 1995 to an impressive $1.68 billion in 2021. Notably, textiles hold the lion’s share in Bangladesh’s exports to the Netherlands, accounting for a substantial 85% of the total exports. Following closely, frozen foods rank as the second-largest export commodity.
- Bangladesh’s exports to Netherlands increasing at an annualized rate of 9.78%
- Upward trend saw exports surge from $148 million in 1995
In 2016, the Dutch Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry orchestrated the Dutch-Bangla EXPO 2016 in Amsterdam, fostering economic and trade relations between the two nations. The Netherlands has emerged as one of the leading sources of foreign investment in Bangladesh, with 70 Dutch companies actively operating within the country. This dynamic economic partnership underscores the mutual benefits and growing collaboration between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
Bangladesh-Netherland Relationship
Bangladesh and the Netherlands share a longstanding history of cooperation that predates the formation of Bangladesh itself, with water collaboration commencing as early as 1965. This partnership continued to flourish, marked by the Netherlands being among the first European nations to officially recognize Bangladesh’s sovereignty on February 11, 1972, which led to the establishment of an embassy in Dhaka. Subsequently, the Netherlands initiated development aid to foster Bangladesh’s socio-economic growth.
On November 7, 1995, Bangladesh established a resident mission at the ambassadorial level in The Hague, solidifying the relationship. At present, the Netherlands stands as one of Bangladesh’s prominent investors and business collaborators.
The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the Netherlands are currently experiencing a noteworthy shift, transitioning from the conventional donor-recipient relationship towards a more trade and investment-focused dynamic, fueled by the principles of “innovation” and “creativity.” As Bangladesh progresses towards middle-income status by 2021, the emphasis is shifting from development cooperation to forging fresh avenues for business and private sector engagement in key sectors such as agriculture, leather, footwear, information and communication technology (ICT), the Blue Economy, and port development. This transformation seeks to nurture meaningful partnerships and propel growth in these targeted areas.
