Dhaka: Describing Bangladesh as mainly a country of plain land, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday underscored the need for the continuation of land recovery and river dredging on a routine basis.

She made the remarks when Ambassador of the Netherlands Leoni Cuelenaere paid a farewell call on her at her Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office, reports the UNB.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The Prime Minister and the Dutch envoy mainly discussed issues related to the delta plan, women empowerment and Rohingya crisis.

About the delta plan, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is a low-lying country and most of the rivers flowing through the country originate from the Himalayas.

The capacity of the rivers decrease due to huge silts which they carry from the upstream, she said, adding that dredging is essential to increase their capacity of flowing water.

The Prime Minister put emphasis on making river routes more active to lessen pressure on roads.

About the women empowerment, she said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ensured it through keeping women seats reserved in Parliament for 15 years, while her government later extended the duration.

She also mentioned that 22 female MPs are directly elected in the current parliament.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is working to further increase communication network with the neighbours.

She observed that the northeastern Indian states can use Chittagong port.

At the meeting, the outgoing Ambassador of the Netherlands praised the government’s initiative of river dredging, saying it will help strengthen the economy of Bangladesh.

Leoni Cuelenaere said the Netherlands wants to further expedite activities on trade and commerce with Bangladesh and cooperation on the RMG sector in particular.

Talking about the Rohingya issue, the Netherlands envoy highly appreciated the government of Sheikh Hasina for showing human gesture by giving shelter and other supports to the Myanmar nationals forcibly displaced from the Rakhine State.

Leoni Cuelenaere also expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister and her government for extending cooperation in discharging responsibilities in Bangladesh.