Netherlands keen to invest in Bangladesh's pharmaceutical, ICT sectors

Netherlands has expressed keenness to invest in the ICT and pharmaceutical sectors of Bangladesh to reap benefits from the growing potential of these items in both the domestic and international markets.

Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Irma van Dueren today expressed the interest during a meeting with Adviser to the Ministry of Industries Adilur Rahman Khan at the ministry in Dhaka.

During the meeting, they discussed on various issues including export, import, trade and investment.

In his speech, Adilur Rahman said Bangladesh and Netherlands have been enjoying good relations for long.

"A bilateral capital investment and protection agreement between Bangladesh and the Netherlands was signed on 1 November 1994. It is possible to move this bilateral relationship to a higher level by increasing trade and investment," he added.

Irma van Dueren said that the Netherlands is one of the main European importers of Bangladeshi textiles and apparel products.

"Bangladesh's ready-made garments (RMG) exports to the Netherlands have increased significantly in 2023. Bangladesh exports about 62% of its manufactured garments to the Netherlands among European Union countries. The Netherlands has consistently ranked as an important trading partner," she added.

She added that the total value of Bangladesh's garment exports to the EU in 2023 was about $15.87 billion. 

Now, Bangladesh can be considered as a potential regional hub for apparel business with a well-developed supply chain management, he added.

Among others, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Zakia Sultana attended the meeting.