US top officials visit Western Marine

CHITTAGONG, May 6: US ambassador Dan William Mozena and deputy assistant secretary of the US State Department Fatema Z Sumar along with a team of five members from the US Embassy and State Department have paid a visit to the Western Marine Shipyard today (Tuesday).
The ambassador and deputy assistant secretary praised the shipbuilding practice in Bangladesh stating that the US would do its best to uplift the industry in this country. The Western Marine is engaged with many US companies as the shipyard procures shipbuilding equipment and machinery which are used in building new ships.
Western Marine MD Engineer Sakhawat Hossain said that they have so far procured machinery worth US$ 50 million from various US companies.
The shipyard's chairman Saiful Islam said from this visit they could expect that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the US would be further enhanced. Export of ready-made garment to the US is contributing a lot to the economy but now the country would be able to secure a market share in the USA by exporting ships, he hoped.
Ambassador Mozena noted that he would support the shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh in every respect to promote and enhance the trade between two nations.
Ms Fatema was also impressed to see the ship building activity in the yard, a statement said.