A silver lining for South Asian shipbreaking industry: Federation of Ship Recyclers Association’ (FSRA)

Chittagong: Shipbreakers of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have come together to combat propaganda and uphold the standard of the industry internationally. To achieve this goal a new tri-nation organization named ‘Federation of Ship Recyclers Association’ (FSRA) have been formed by the shipbreakers of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

The leaders of Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association (BSBA), Indian Ship Recyclers Association (ISRA) and Pakistan Ship Recyclers Association (PSRA) jointly declared the emergence of the federation through a press conference held at a local hotel in Chittagong on Saturday. 

President of ISRA, Pravin Saralal Nagar Shet was elected President of the new federation while President of BSBA Hefazutur Rahman and President of PSRA Asif Ali Khan were elected Vice President and Secretary General respectively. A 9 member committee will be formed to manage the affairs of the federation, comprising 3 members from the respective associations.

Replying to a query, President of FSRA Pravin Saralal said the newly formed federation will represent the South Asian ship recyclers in international conventions to uphold the issues bothering the industry and work for its welfare.  “We have been corresponding for the last 6 month with a view to form the alliance”, he added.

Regarding the issue of propaganda against the industry, every sector has positive and negative sides to it. “We have to overcome the negative impact of the industry and combat the propaganda by working in collaboration”, he added further.  About the issue of environment friendly ship recycling he said, “It cannot be the only form of recycling, but we are all committed to develop the condition and make it a green recycling industry”, he vowed. Secretary General of FSRA Asif Ali Khan said the ship recycling industry in Bangladesh has made tremendous progress and the atmosphere here is also very good.

Source: The Independent. SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2011

http://theindependentbd.com/business/others/49884-a-silver-lining-for-s-asian-ship-breaking-industry.html