The embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh is hosting a three-day maritime event that began in Dhaka on Thursday, alongside Bangladesh’s largest maritime and offshore exhibition, BIMOX 2023.

During the three-day Maritime Future is Now: The Netherlands Approach to New Opportunities programme, a series of events will be organised, including a business networking event, seminar and match-making to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote partnerships.

In Hall-02 of the International Convention City Bashundhara, Dhaka the first ever Netherlands Pavilion in Bangladesh is located.

The goal is to promote sustainable economic development and enhance Dutch-Bangladeshi business partnerships in the maritime sector, said the embassy.

The event was inaugurated in the morning by state minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury as the chief guest.

Thijs Woudstra, charge d’affaires, embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, joined the ceremony by cutting a ribbon.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Shipping and Port Authorities were also present at the ceremony.

The seminar on The Maritime Future is Now – The Netherlands Approach to New Opportunities which is scheduled to be conducted in the afternoon, will offer good insight into the rich expertise and innovative solutions in various areas of the Netherlands maritime sector.

The Dutch maritime sector is promoting a future in which their innovations can help create vibrant, green and connected port cities, and develop smart and zero-emission shipping.

The Bangladesh side will offer insights in the future of the maritime sector in Bangladesh.

The seminar will mark an ‘important milestone’ in the longstanding relationship between the Netherlands and Bangladesh, particularly in the field of maritime cooperation as the bilateral relation focuses increasingly on mutually beneficial trade and investment.

Md Mostafa Kamal, senior secretary, Ministry of Shipping will join the seminar as the chief guest.

The presence of fifteen Netherlands maritime companies who will be participating in the seminar and expo is a testimony to the strong ties between both countries and the mutual interest in further developing maritime and offshore industries, said the embassy.

They are representing diverse sectors including shipbuilding, port infrastructure, maritime, delta technology and more. The companies are: Boskalis, CDR International BV, Damen Shipyards, Delta Context BV, Heinen and Hopman, Hydromaster Propulsion, MELCAL Marine BV, Marin, STC-Nestra BV, OCEANBOUND, Royal Haskoning DHV, Royal IHC, TerraworX, Van Oord and V-Step Simulation.

The BIMOX 2023 exhibition and Netherlands pavilion is open for all visitors and the programme will continue till Saturday.