Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan today said Denmark's cooperation will play an important role in addressing the capital's growing demand for clean water and worsening water crisis.

He said Denmark can be an important partner of Bangladesh in the fields of water supply, waste management and development assistance.

The LGRD minister made the remarks when Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Moller called on him at the Secretariat here.

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam was present at the meeting.

During the meeting, they discussed further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Denmark, expanding cooperation in water supply and waste management, and the possibility of Danish investment in development projects.

At the onset of the meeting, the Danish envoy congratulated the Bangladesh minister on assuming his new responsibility.

At the same time, he hoped that bilateral relations would be strengthened between Bangladesh and Denmark in the future, while the areas of cooperation would be expanded.

The minister said Denmark can play an important role in key sectors such as water supply and waste management in Bangladesh.

"Especially, Denmark has investment opportunities in producing energy from waste," he said.

They also discussed various aspects of Denmark's financing and cooperation in the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant Project (Phase-3).

The Danish government will finance Tk 4,500 crore in the project. Of the amount, Tk 1,500 crore will be given as a grant and Tk 3,000 crore as a soft loan.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said Denmark's support in the third phase of the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant Project is a big success for the government.

"Once the project is implemented, it will be possible to meet the increasing demand for clean water in Dhaka to a large extent," he said.

Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan, Dhaka WASA Managing Director Md Aminul Islam and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.