12 August 2011

Shipbreaking industry will become a driving force for Bangladesh economy:

Industries Minister Dilip Barua tells environmentalists in China

FUJIAN, CHINA, Aug 11: Industries Minister Dilip Barua sees bright prospect of Shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh in the coming years.

He said shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh will turn into one of the driving forces of the country's economy in near future. Barua emphatically said this in reply to the questions of the environmentalists.

"We're moving in the right direction. All necessary steps are being taken to help grow the sector by protecting environment," he told the Financial Express Wednesday after visiting two shipyards here.

"We're moving in right direction. We will ensure environment-friendly shipbreaking industry in the country," he said.

He also said that the government is in continuous consultation with all stakeholders and taking required policy measures for the smooth growth of the sector. The government would exchange ideas and experience with other shipbreaking nations in the world he added.

He also said there are a lot of developments in this sector and the government is giving its best efforts for its healthy growth.

The industry will run maintaining highest transparency and it will not compromise with anything that might pose threat to environment, he added.

"We want industry's sustainability," he said.

Earlier, the Minister and the Bangladesh delegation visited 2 shipbreaking yards here including Fujian Saijiang Shipping Department Com Ltd.

Parliament Standing Committee Chairman on Commerce Ministry ABM Abul Kashem, Awami League lawmaker Muhibur Rahman Manik, additional Industries Secretary ABM Khorshed Alam, Bangladesh Shipbreakers Association president Hefazatur Rahman, its member Kamal Uddin Ahmed, BUET Prof Prof Dr Aminul Islam, Sipbreakers Association's technical adviser Captain Salahuddin Ahmed and trade body leaders, among others, were present.

The Minister and the delegation members talked to the officials, workers and government representatives during the visit to shipbreaking yards.

After visiting the Chinese yards, he said that Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry was doing better than China.

Earlier, the Bangladesh delegation led by the industries minister arrived in Hong Kong in the morning and later came to Ningde, FuJian, China.

Source: The Financial Express. By Monira Munni. 12 August 2011

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