Bangladesh will focus on attracting more foreign investment in the shipping sector during the second South Asia Maritime and Logistic Forum (SAMLF) beginning in the capital on October 9, official said.
The two-day forum will be held at a city hotel, aiming to promote more cooperation in shipping and maritime sector among the South Asian countries. It will also discuss ways to develop infrastructure in the ports of South Asian countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the forum.
"During the forum, Bangladesh will seek more foreign investment, especially from the South Asian countries, for developing the country's shipping sector," Director General (DG) of the department of shipping Syed Ariful Islam told the FE.
The ministry of shipping in cooperation with the Gateway Media Private Ltd. of India and Colombo Maritime Conference Events (CIMC) are going to organise the forum.
Representatives from 20 countries are expected to attend the event.
A plenary session titled 'Investment Opportunities and Infrastructure Development in Maritime Sector of Bangladesh' will be held on the first day, with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed as the chief guest.
Besides, four business sessions will be held on the concluding day.
The sessions will discuss trade barriers in the South Asia, development of ports in the region and enhanced cooperation among them for the development of the sector.
The topics of the sessions are: 'Ports and Terminals Track: Port infrastructure in South Asia, expanding and upgrading projects, capacities and operational efficiency', 'Logistics and Distribution Track: Cargo transportation, inland water transport, rail and road connections, coastal shipping and transshipment, airfreight and e-commerce', 'Maritime Allied Infrastructure: Dredging, shipbuilding and bunkering', and 'Policy Track: Barriers to intra-regional trade in South Asia and solutions'.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, state minister for national policies and economic affairs of Sri Lanka Dr Harsha De Silva, shipping secretary Abdus Samad, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Kazi M Aminul Islam, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Shafiqul Islam (Mohiuddin), founder chairman and chief executive officer of Youngone Corporation Kyi- Hak Sung and an Indian delegation will attend the forum.
The first forum was held in Mumbai, India, in September last year.
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