DHAKA: Building ship with a bright potential for Bangladesh can offer US$ 5 billion in the next five years, a prospect now plagued by various problems like lack of government support.

“A 10 percent cash incentive for the sector from the government may return US$ 5 billion in the next five years,” said Dr Abdullahel Bari, President of Naval Architect and Marine Engineers, Bangladesh, at a seminar.  
 
Sheba Bangladesh Foundation organized the seminar at the LGED auditorium in the city Saturday with Prof. Dr Khondoker Bojlul Haque, Chairman of Agrani Bank, in the chair. Industries Minister Dilip Barua and Danish Ambassador in Bangladesh Einar H. Jensen were also present.

Quoting a research, Dr Bari said that the production cost in shipbuilding sector is 15 percent lower in Bangladesh than any other countries.

“But the industry cannot grow up for some hindrances, like scarcity of land, lack of financial support and governmental apathy,” he told the function.

Dilip Barua said the government considers shipbuilding as the “third” major sector of the economy.

The Minister said, “The government has already lifted 40 percent bank security for the entrepreneurs in shipbuilding sector and allowed undisclosed money to be invested in here.”

Those are a big support for the industry, he added.

Diplomat Einar H. Jensen said, “The government should make proper frameworks and policies so that shipping investors and buyers are allured to come in Bangladesh.”


BDST: 1445 HRS, June 12, 2010
RT/AK/FA/MUA