By Bernama,
Chittagong : Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. (WMSL), a local shipbuilding company, will export 12 ships, weighing 5,200 tonnes each, by 2011 to Germany, Holland and Denmark, the Bangladesh’s news agency BSS reported.
Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman inaugurated building of the 12 ice class ocean-going multipurpose vessels at the WMSL yard at Shikalbaha on the south bank of the river Karnaphuli in the district.
Quoting Dr Hossain, BSS reported that the export of such a big number of ships as a milestone for the country’s shipbuilding sector and said it would definitely help Bangladesh find a secure place in global ship manufacturing market.
“The sector has enormous potentials and it would contribute to making Bangladesh a middle-income country soon.
“The sector has huge potential of contributing to the economy after garment sector and shipbuilding companies should not compromise with the quality in keeping the reputation in global export market,” he said after the “keel-laying ceremony that symbolizes with hitting the hammer on iron-plate on the proposed structure of a ship to start the work.
Also present were German Ambassador to Bangladesh Frank Meyke, Denmark Ambassador Bea M Ten Tusscher and Shipping Secretary ATM Mokter Hossain, Managing Director of AB Bank Ltd Kyser A Chowdhury and Managing Director of WMSL Sakhawat Hossain.
He said separate rules and regulations are needed for the shipbuilding sector.
The adviser said pledges of giving special attention by two major electoral alliances in their polls manifestos for the promotion of the sector is really encouraging.
Dr Hossain Zillur asked the commercial banks to come forward in providing soft-term loans to the entrepreneurs in the sector.
Meanwhile Danish Ambassador Bea M Ten Tusscler said Bangladesh is not only a ship breaking country but also has emerged as a strong ship manufacturing and exporting state through concerted efforts.
She urged the concerned authorities to increase the facilities for flourishing the sector and to work with dedication to uphold the image of Bangladesh in the international arena.
WMSL has already built 54 various types of vessels. Of them, 49 were supplied in the local market and the remaining are for international market.
Trade body leaders from Dhaka and Chittagong, and entrepreneurs and bankers also attended the colourful inaugural function.
The adviser went round the WMSL establishment over 20 acres of land enriched with state-of-the-art technology.