Dhaka: The Netherlands government has assured its cooperation in the sustainable development of canals and water bodies under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the establishment of blue networks in the capital. The Ambassador of the Netherlands in Dhaka, Andre Carstens, today provided this assurance during a courtesy call with the Administrator of the DNCC, Mohammad Ezaz, at Nagar Bhaban in the city’s Gulshan area.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, the DNCC Administrator informed the ambassador that the corporation has already initiated measures to eliminate illegal encroachments on the canals and their re-digging to create a ‘blue network’ in the capital. The DNCC has been collaborating with other government and development organizations to set up this network and believes that the Netherlands government can offer both financial and technical assistance in this endeavor.
Furthermore, through this collaboration, the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the Netherlands could be strengthened. The DNCC Administrator emphasized that the picturesque canals of the Netherlands are considered a ‘role model’ globally, and the model and experiences of blue networks and hydro-economic developments in the cities of the Netherlands will be beneficial for Dhaka.
In response to the Administrator’s proposal, Ambassador Carstens expressed his country’s interest in working with Bangladesh on removing urban waterlogging, improving sanitation management, and the sustainable development of Dhaka’s canals. He highlighted that blue networks could be established by developing the city’s canals and reiterated the Netherlands’ interest in contributing to this effort.
“We will send our proposals to Bangladesh soon in this regard, and this will play a vital role in developing the bilateral relations of both countries,” the ambassador added.