Organisers optimistic about shipbuilding industry

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FE Report
Organisers of the second 'Marine Tech Bangladesh 2012' which ended Saturday expressed their optimism about the bright prospect of the country's shipbuilding industry.
The three-day long international shipbuilding technology and equipment exhibition, held from January 19 to 21 got a huge response from the emerging shipbuilding industry insiders as well as interested investors, the exhibition organisers told the FE.
According to the organisers, a total of 17 companies related to shipbuilding industry at home and abroad participated in the exhibition held at a city hotel to explore marine technology, shipbuilding industry, marine educational institution, other shipping businesses including accessories, welding, painting and designing software.
Executive director of Exponet Exhibition, organiser of the fair, Md Khairul Bashar told the FE that this fair attracted a significant number of investors also.
"Many businessmen of the country, involved in RMG and other sectors showed their keen interests to invest in the shipbuilding industry," he said.
Md Bashar said, the next fair would be expanded further, involving almost all businesses related to the sector.
Pacific Ship Building Ltd, a sister concern of Pacific Group has recently stepped into the shipbuilding industry, said company's brand manager Hasnine Mahmud Rony.
The pioneer in Bangladesh shipbuilding industry Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd, Khan Brothers Ship Building Ltd, Khulna Ship Building Ltd, Narayanganj Engineering and Ship Building Ltd also participated in the fair.
Hasan and Company, a ship welding rods supplier, attended the fair with new ship welding rod 'Kiswel', a product of South Korean welding, engineering and chemical company Kiswel Co Ltd.
General Manager of the company Md Abdul Gani told the FE that 'Kiswel Co Ltd' has shown their interest to invest directly in Bangladesh.
However, he informed that the country's emerging shipbuilding industry needs nearly 10,000 tonnes of welding rods annually.
"Ananda Shipyard, Khulna Ship Building, Khanbrothers Ship Building and Pacific Ship Building have shown their interest in our new products", he said.
Maritime Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), International Maritime Academy, MAS Maritime Academy (MMA), Marine Services Ltd and Shah Marine and Business Ltd also took part in the exhibition.
Executive director of MIST M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury told the FE that with cadet foundation course and professional courses, the institute is facilitating nearly 2000 seafarers annually.
MMA manager Sayeed Khan told the FE that the private marine engineering and professional institutions are coming forward to help seafarers who earn a lot of foreign currency for the country.
He informed that their institution sent nearly 750 seafarers abroad last year (2011).
Shipbuilders, ship equipment and accessory businesses of Bangladesh, Germany, Norway, Korea, Singapore, China, Japan, Dubai and Indonesia showcased their latest technologies at the fair, organisers said.
The shipbuilding sector could earn $20 billion per annum if only five per cent of the global demand could be captured; the industry insiders expressed their optimism.