The Netherlands wants to expand its investments in Bangladesh, building on existing business ties, but removing non-trade barriers and improving customs procedures are essential to unlocking the country's investment potential, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma has said.
Speaking to TBS on 13 October during his maiden visit to Dhaka, the minister said Dutch companies see significant opportunities in Bangladesh's economy and are keen to invest more.
"What we have to offer, basically, is an extension of the investments already made. APM Terminals [a global port and container terminal operating company headquartered in The Hague and a division of APMoller-Maersk] has made a record investment, the largest single European investment, in the Laldia terminal in Chattogram. Our companies hope to invest even more," he said.
However, he said further investment would require stronger partnerships and reforms to facilitate trade and business operations.
"It's also essential that Bangladesh removes its non-trade barriers when it comes to digital procedures at customs. It's crucial that we implement them as soon as possible," he said, adding that intellectual property rights protection was another important issue.
"These are essential for our companies to make the leap into the economy of Bangladesh," he added.
Sjoerdsma said the Netherlands was also pushing for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral and regional trade ties.
"Dutch companies believe that there are a lot of opportunities in the Bangladesh economy," he said, noting that the Netherlands was Bangladesh's largest foreign direct investor last year.
The minister arrived in Dhaka with a maritime trade mission and said another delegation, focusing on textiles and water, would visit Bangladesh in November.
Although he did not specify particular sectors for future investment, his remarks highlighted opportunities in port development, dredging, river transport, and water management.
"I'm here with a maritime trade mission, with basically world-class Dutch companies involved in the water sector. That includes everything from dredging to harbor development to water experts," he said.
He said both Bangladesh and the Netherlands faced challenges and opportunities related to water because of their positions downstream along river systems.
"We both have to face the consequences of water, but we also have the opportunities that water offers," he said, stressing the potential for Dutch expertise to support Bangladesh's river transport planning and management.
Netherlands pushes for EU-Bangladesh FTA
Sjoerdsma said a swift trade agreement between the EU and Bangladesh was important for expanding economic cooperation.
"The Netherlands finds it crucial that we have a fast free trade agreement between the European Union and Bangladesh. And the Netherlands is pushing for this free trade agreement," he said.
While expressing optimism about progress towards an agreement, he said remaining non-trade barriers needed to be addressed quickly.
The Netherlands is one of Bangladesh's major trading partners. According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh exported goods worth around $2.47 billion to the Netherlands in the 2025-26 fiscal year, making it the country's fifth-largest export destination.
During his one-day visit, Sjoerdsma met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the commerce minister, the water resources minister, and other senior government officials.
He said the Netherlands wanted to support Bangladesh's economic development, building on a relationship spanning five decades.
"We want to be there for the next five decades to have a very strategic development, but then as a win-win, in which you can use our knowledge, but also in which our companies can invest in Bangladesh," he said.
Economic reforms as important as democratic transition
The Dutch minister also stressed that economic reforms were as important as reforms to strengthen democratic governance.
He said the Netherlands was encouraged by Bangladesh's February election and the transition towards democratic governance.
"We were heartened by the way the election was conducted in February, to see a major transition in the society in Bangladesh, to see the rise of democratic governance," he said.
Sjoerdsma said discussions with the prime minister and other cabinet members indicated that the government considered democratic reforms important. Civil society representatives had also urged the government to fulfill its reform commitments, he added.
"But the same is true for the economy," he said.
"It's crucial to do both transitions at the same time: a transition to a full democracy and a transition to a wealthy and prosperous economy," he said.
The Netherlands stood ready to act as a strategic partner in both areas, he added, but stressed that progress would also depend on the political will of Bangladesh's cabinet.