Netherlands shows interest

The Netherlands has expressed interest in taking part in the construction of the proposed deep-sea port at Sonadia Island under public-private partnership.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed the desire during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Italian city of Milan on the sidelines of the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

During a briefing on the outcome of the summit yesterday in Dhaka, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali quoting Hasina told reporters that the government was receiving various proposals from different countries, but the proposals were yet be scrutinised.

Hasina told her Dutch counterpart that her government would accept the proposal that is most beneficial for Bangladesh.

She thanked the Dutch premier for extending financial and technical support for the preparation of Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.

Referring to the Dutch success in river training and reclamation of land from the sea, Hasina discussed the possibility of applying Dutch technology in Bangladesh.

Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of Bangladesh's participation in the summit, Ali said Bangladesh's voice had become “louder” and the PM had upheld an image of modern Bangladesh at the global stage.

The summit was attended by 44 heads of states and governments on October 16-17.

The minister said Bangladesh had made its position clear on issues related to terrorism, climate change, migration, connectivity and MDGs and post-2015 development goals.

The premier talked about the gap between assurances given by various global forums and the reality of climate change and drew attention of the global community to their reluctance in taking responsibility to deal with those issues, said the minister.

Asked if the government received any reply from India about Dhaka's query about the October 2 Burdwan blasts, he said the reply would “come at an appropriate time”.

Acting Foreign Secretary Mustafa Kamal, Director Genera (Americas and Europe Wings) Mahfuzur Rahman, DG (South Asia wing) Tareq M Ariful Islam and DG (External Publicity Wing) Noor-E Helal Saifur Rahman were, among others, present at the media briefing on Hasina's participation in the summit.