US National War College team visits Western Marine

An eight-member delegation from National War College (NWC) of United States recently made a goodwill visit at Western Marine Shipyard in Chittagong, said a press release. Headed by Colonel Mark Weld Odom, who had served in the US government at various capacities both in home and overseas, the delegation, also included former US Ambassador to Angola Mr. Dan William Mozena, NWC faculty Mr. Richard Hollett Davison, Mr. Patrick Chow, DOS; Col. Piaul Stuart Wilson, Lt Col Jeffrey David Broadwater, Lt Col David Edmond Jones and Lt Col Steven Patrick Whitney. The US Embassy in Bangladesh has facilitated the visit at the Western Marine Shipyard to give the delegation a firsthand knowledge on industrial progress in Bangladesh. During the visit, the team was highly impressed to see the shipbuilding capabilities of Bangladesh. The delegation also praised Western Marine high for its outstanding contribution to develop the potential of shipbuilding sector which was playing a significant role to country's economy. The Chairman of Western Marine, Mr. Saiful Islam said NWC delegation's visit to Western Marine was matter of pride for the country's corporate sector. Mr. Islam assured Western Marine's quality of workmanship would get better in the coming days and vessels 'Made in Bangladesh' would be recognized around the world for its high quality. The shipyard Managing Director, Mr. Sakhawat Hossain briefed the team on technical specification of the yard & its ongoing activity. He said shipbuilding had turned into a great source of foreign currency earning for Bangladesh. It had engaged thousands of skilled & semi-skilled workers & other professionals reducing the unemployment rate of the country, he said. He said backward linkages of this industry are growing rapidly enhancing economic development. By considering all these factors shipbuilders in Bangladesh is a major contributor in the national GDP of Bangladesh.