Staff Reporter :
The government plans to develop infrastructure of the country’s seaports and river routes’ to enhance connectivity with South Asia and Southeast Asian countries.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan while addressing a seminar on “Increasing Maritime Connectivity: Bangladesh Business Prospect,” held in the city on Wednesday said that the government is firm to improve regional economic integration.
The seminar was organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI).
President of DCCI Hossain Khaled was in the chair.
“Capacity building of the country’s seaports and sea-river routes are essential,” the Minister said, adding that a better sea connectivity will help stimulate trade, investment and economic integration between Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia and ASEAN.
Shajahan Khan said, sea routes always play key role in goods transportation. Nearly 80 per cent of the global trade is done through sea routes. So, the government is keen to increase maritime connectivity for a better regional and inter-regional integration as part of its long-term development policies.
“The task of upgrading the facilities is not easy because the government needs necessary funds to do so,” he said. However public private partnership (PPP) initiative may be useful.
The minister sought for public private investment (PPP) for the development of maritime connectivity in the country to enhance trade and business potentials.
“The improvement of maritime connectivity would help reduce a broader gap of regional trade. So more private sector investment in this sector is appreciable.
The minister called upon the private sector at both local and international level to come forward by providing adequate financial assistance for the development of maritime connectivity and the modernization of seaports, roads and railways.
As a mark of good gesture, the government plans to complete the work of Payra Seaport by 2023, said the minister.
Addressing the welcome speech, DCCI President Hossain Khaled said, The New Silk Road initiative of China would help the member countries connect with the Eastern Europe.
The business leader urged the government to consider for connecting maritime connectivity with the maritime silk route of China for greater economic benefits.
Major (Retd) Rafiqul Islam MP and Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee of Shipping Ministry, Prof Khabirul Haque Chowdhury, Chartered Engineer, Naval Architect and Transport Planner, Mohammad Shahjahan Khan, Former President of DCCI, Captain AKM Shafiqullah, Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Deep Sea Port and Humayun Rashid, Senior Vice-President of DCCI, also spoke the seminar.
The government plans to develop infrastructure of the country’s seaports and river routes’ to enhance connectivity with South Asia and Southeast Asian countries.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan while addressing a seminar on “Increasing Maritime Connectivity: Bangladesh Business Prospect,” held in the city on Wednesday said that the government is firm to improve regional economic integration.
The seminar was organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI).
President of DCCI Hossain Khaled was in the chair.
“Capacity building of the country’s seaports and sea-river routes are essential,” the Minister said, adding that a better sea connectivity will help stimulate trade, investment and economic integration between Bangladesh and other countries of South Asia and ASEAN.
Shajahan Khan said, sea routes always play key role in goods transportation. Nearly 80 per cent of the global trade is done through sea routes. So, the government is keen to increase maritime connectivity for a better regional and inter-regional integration as part of its long-term development policies.
“The task of upgrading the facilities is not easy because the government needs necessary funds to do so,” he said. However public private partnership (PPP) initiative may be useful.
The minister sought for public private investment (PPP) for the development of maritime connectivity in the country to enhance trade and business potentials.
“The improvement of maritime connectivity would help reduce a broader gap of regional trade. So more private sector investment in this sector is appreciable.
The minister called upon the private sector at both local and international level to come forward by providing adequate financial assistance for the development of maritime connectivity and the modernization of seaports, roads and railways.
As a mark of good gesture, the government plans to complete the work of Payra Seaport by 2023, said the minister.
Addressing the welcome speech, DCCI President Hossain Khaled said, The New Silk Road initiative of China would help the member countries connect with the Eastern Europe.
The business leader urged the government to consider for connecting maritime connectivity with the maritime silk route of China for greater economic benefits.
Major (Retd) Rafiqul Islam MP and Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee of Shipping Ministry, Prof Khabirul Haque Chowdhury, Chartered Engineer, Naval Architect and Transport Planner, Mohammad Shahjahan Khan, Former President of DCCI, Captain AKM Shafiqullah, Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Deep Sea Port and Humayun Rashid, Senior Vice-President of DCCI, also spoke the seminar.
