Staff Correspondent
The Netherlands Ambassador Irma van Dueren recently participated in a Research Finding Dissemination
Seminar on “Evaluating Matarbari Deep Sea Port’s Sustainability: A triple Bottom Line Approach” as
Special Guest. The event was jointly organized by the Institute of Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh Studies
(IBBS) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University (BSMRMU) as a part of a project
supported by the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) of NUFFIC, The Netherlands, in collaboration
with STC Next and CINOP.
Nuffic has a long standing engagement with key maritime institutions in Bangladesh. Examples of their
collaboration include the Chattogram Port Authority, Maritime University and Bangladesh Navy. The
maritime cooperation between the Netherlands and Bangladesh is steadily growing with NL companies
and knowledge institutes actively involved in key areas such as shipbuilding and repair, port
development and management, coastal and delta management, education and training, and research
and innovation.
Port development is a significant priority for the Netherlands’ economic diplomacy efforts. Both
countries envision a future where the maritime cooperation leads to sustainable and green growth,
promote a conducive business environment and positioning Bangladesh as a regional maritime hub. The
Netherlands remains committed to supporting Bangladesh’s development journey through continued
collaboration and innovation in sustainable maritime ventures.
