One more country-made sea vessel handed over to Danish buyer
Friday, 22 May 2009
FE Report
Industries Minister Dilip Barua said Thursday shipbuilding could be a potential diversification thrust sector to counter the effects of global financial crisis.
"The government will boost shipbuilding and extend all possible facilities and support to the sector players," he said while speaking at the launching ceremony of Stella Moon, a locally manufactured sea vessel, at Meghnaghat of Sonargaon in Narayanganj.
Stella Moon, a 2900 DWT multipurpose container vessel with overall length of 81.35 metre and breadth of 13.15 metre, is Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Limited's eighth ship exported.
The company has built the $7.5 million ship for the Danish company Stella Shipping, which last year received the company's first manufactured ship 'Stella Maris.' It also sold six ships to the African nation Mozambique in the same year.
The country's lone ship exporter has so far secured export orders for 34 ships for a total contract price of $373.5 million, with orders from Denmark, Germany, Norway and Mozambique.
Speaking as chief guest, Dilip Barua said: "Once upon a time, European ships and river vessels had come to our country as a symbol of Western civilisation. But now it is our pride to achieve the ability of building ships and river vessels for the European countries."
He said with the launching of the ship Bangladesh has stepped into a golden door of opportunities. So the government will provide all possible support to the shipbuilding industry.
"Shipbuilding is a potential sector for our economy and we have enlisted its name at the top of the thrust sectors."
He hoped that Bangladesh would export a considerable number of ships annually in future.
The minister said shipbuilding industry employs a large workforce and plays a vital role in poverty alleviation.
The allied secondary industries around shipbuilding may create further scope of employment, he added.
"Diversification is a way to counter the effect of global financial crisis. Shipbuilding can be the first industry for a diversification in Bangladesh."
The minister admitted that the cost of bank guarantees, high interest rate and inadequate cash incentives are still obstacles for the sector.
Capt. Michael Soerensen of Stella Shipping said: "We are highly satisfied with the quality of the product of Ananda Shipyard. So we have already placed ordered for another two ships."
Managing Director of Ananda Shipyard Afroza Bari said: "Her company aims to earn foreign currency through export and create employment opportunity for thousands of people."
She requested the government to provide 30 per cent incentive for at least five years, as it is a heavy and risky industry. It, then, will encourage others to come and invest in the potential sector, she said.
"Besides, we should be provided with working capital at 7 per cent bank interest rate. The bank guarantee required during import of raw material should be repealed. We should also be relived of letter of credit confirmation cost."
Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Bea M ten Tusscher: "We are exploring markets in the shipbuilding sector of Bangladesh. We have found ground."
But the burgeoning sector needs assistance from the government and banks to grow as it is still in its early stage, she added.
Denmark's Ambassador Einar H Jensen termed the achievement of Ananda Shipyard as a milestone, saying: "Even three years ago, we were not sure whether they will be able to do it."
"Soon 'Made in Bangladesh' will be a global brand."
Ananda Shipyard Chairman Dr Abdullahel Bari, local MP Abdullah Al Kaisar Hasnat, Iranian Ambassador Hassan Farazandeh, German company Komorowski Maritim GmbH President Ernst P Komorowski, among others, also spoke on the occasion.
Industries Minister Dilip Barua said Thursday shipbuilding could be a potential diversification thrust sector to counter the effects of global financial crisis.
"The government will boost shipbuilding and extend all possible facilities and support to the sector players," he said while speaking at the launching ceremony of Stella Moon, a locally manufactured sea vessel, at Meghnaghat of Sonargaon in Narayanganj.
Stella Moon, a 2900 DWT multipurpose container vessel with overall length of 81.35 metre and breadth of 13.15 metre, is Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Limited's eighth ship exported.
The company has built the $7.5 million ship for the Danish company Stella Shipping, which last year received the company's first manufactured ship 'Stella Maris.' It also sold six ships to the African nation Mozambique in the same year.
The country's lone ship exporter has so far secured export orders for 34 ships for a total contract price of $373.5 million, with orders from Denmark, Germany, Norway and Mozambique.
Speaking as chief guest, Dilip Barua said: "Once upon a time, European ships and river vessels had come to our country as a symbol of Western civilisation. But now it is our pride to achieve the ability of building ships and river vessels for the European countries."
He said with the launching of the ship Bangladesh has stepped into a golden door of opportunities. So the government will provide all possible support to the shipbuilding industry.
"Shipbuilding is a potential sector for our economy and we have enlisted its name at the top of the thrust sectors."
He hoped that Bangladesh would export a considerable number of ships annually in future.
The minister said shipbuilding industry employs a large workforce and plays a vital role in poverty alleviation.
The allied secondary industries around shipbuilding may create further scope of employment, he added.
"Diversification is a way to counter the effect of global financial crisis. Shipbuilding can be the first industry for a diversification in Bangladesh."
The minister admitted that the cost of bank guarantees, high interest rate and inadequate cash incentives are still obstacles for the sector.
Capt. Michael Soerensen of Stella Shipping said: "We are highly satisfied with the quality of the product of Ananda Shipyard. So we have already placed ordered for another two ships."
Managing Director of Ananda Shipyard Afroza Bari said: "Her company aims to earn foreign currency through export and create employment opportunity for thousands of people."
She requested the government to provide 30 per cent incentive for at least five years, as it is a heavy and risky industry. It, then, will encourage others to come and invest in the potential sector, she said.
"Besides, we should be provided with working capital at 7 per cent bank interest rate. The bank guarantee required during import of raw material should be repealed. We should also be relived of letter of credit confirmation cost."
Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Bea M ten Tusscher: "We are exploring markets in the shipbuilding sector of Bangladesh. We have found ground."
But the burgeoning sector needs assistance from the government and banks to grow as it is still in its early stage, she added.
Denmark's Ambassador Einar H Jensen termed the achievement of Ananda Shipyard as a milestone, saying: "Even three years ago, we were not sure whether they will be able to do it."
"Soon 'Made in Bangladesh' will be a global brand."
Ananda Shipyard Chairman Dr Abdullahel Bari, local MP Abdullah Al Kaisar Hasnat, Iranian Ambassador Hassan Farazandeh, German company Komorowski Maritim GmbH President Ernst P Komorowski, among others, also spoke on the occasion.