In a recent meeting between Sigrid Kaag, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Netherlands assured AK Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, that Dutch buyers will not cancel or suspend their orders from the Bangladeshi readymade garment (RMG) factories. He also assured the Dutch government will ensure that the RMG value chain is not disrupted.
Kaag further informed the Dutch government had set up a fund of €100 million to help countries that need support because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And countries that are interested to use the fund would need to appeal for provision. On the issue of FDI, Bangladesh foreign minister mentioned that FDI would be negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and demanded Dutch technical assistance in FDI in the areas of agriculture and fisheries.
The Netherlands has been supporting Bangladesh through providing financial and technical aid to water resources and coastal management projects in Bangladesh. It is also assisting Bangladesh in enhancing its business enabling environment. Almost 85 per cent of the exports to the Netherlands are apparel products.
