Shipbuilding industry needs regulatory framework
FE Report | Monday, 18 April 2011
FE Report
Experts Sunday said all authorisation, permission etc, including environmental certification, should be thoroughly streamlined for avoiding corrupt practices for speedy growth of shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh. Though Bangladesh has the potential to become a major ship exporting country within next five years bottlenecks are hampering the growth of the sector at an expected level, they observed. They also said Public Private Partnerships (PPP) may be encouraged in this sector so that some existing shipyards, now operating under the public sector, may be allowed to form PPPs so as to operate them to their fullest capacity. They were speaking at an exchange of views meeting with media on 'Identifying regulatory barriers and improving transparency in the shipbuilding industries' at a city hotel, organised by International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB). Suhel A Chowdhury, former commerce secretary, presented the IBFB recommendations at the programme while IBFB president Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury moderated the session. Mahbubul Alam, editor of the English daily Independent, was present as the chief guest. In his presentation Mr Suhel said export potential of shipbuilding industry is already visible, noticeable. "Import substitution and employment generation can be substantial. Also development of backward and forward linkage industries is a strong possibility," he said, adding "after-sale service, consistent market for replacement of aged vessels, export of skilled manpower, export of materials, components and outfitting are also some of the opportunities for Bangladesh." This newly emerging sector has to function under a properly drafted and executed regulatory regime or a policy frame-work, Mr Suhel said. Mahbubul Alam said the export oriented shipbuilding industry has a bright future in the country, but it is developing without proper patronisation. He said there should be one-stop service for shipbuilding entrepreneurs to avoid hassle.
Experts Sunday said all authorisation, permission etc, including environmental certification, should be thoroughly streamlined for avoiding corrupt practices for speedy growth of shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh. Though Bangladesh has the potential to become a major ship exporting country within next five years bottlenecks are hampering the growth of the sector at an expected level, they observed. They also said Public Private Partnerships (PPP) may be encouraged in this sector so that some existing shipyards, now operating under the public sector, may be allowed to form PPPs so as to operate them to their fullest capacity. They were speaking at an exchange of views meeting with media on 'Identifying regulatory barriers and improving transparency in the shipbuilding industries' at a city hotel, organised by International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB). Suhel A Chowdhury, former commerce secretary, presented the IBFB recommendations at the programme while IBFB president Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury moderated the session. Mahbubul Alam, editor of the English daily Independent, was present as the chief guest. In his presentation Mr Suhel said export potential of shipbuilding industry is already visible, noticeable. "Import substitution and employment generation can be substantial. Also development of backward and forward linkage industries is a strong possibility," he said, adding "after-sale service, consistent market for replacement of aged vessels, export of skilled manpower, export of materials, components and outfitting are also some of the opportunities for Bangladesh." This newly emerging sector has to function under a properly drafted and executed regulatory regime or a policy frame-work, Mr Suhel said. Mahbubul Alam said the export oriented shipbuilding industry has a bright future in the country, but it is developing without proper patronisation. He said there should be one-stop service for shipbuilding entrepreneurs to avoid hassle.