The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

Head of the Delegation of European Commission (EC) Dr. Stefan Frowein said here yesterday that the EC would provide necessary support to the local shipbuilders for letting them relatively stronger footing in the global market.

The European Commission envoy made the remark during a visit to the Western Marine Shipyard Limited (WMSL) to oversee the progress of Danish order for three ocean-going vessels and the other facilities.

The Western Marine, which makes its footprint in global shipbuilding market in February this year, has already received orders for building 18 ocean-going ships. Five of the 18 vessels had been ordered by a Danish company, twelve for a Dutch company and the rest for a Singaporean company.

The country will earn foreign currency worth US$ 180 million from the orders.

During the visit, officials of the WMSL briefed the EC envoy about the progress of the ongoing projects. The EC envoy expressed his satisfaction over the progress of the projects.

Assuring steadfast support of EC, Stefan urged the shipbuilding companies to go 'full steam ahead' with the shipbuilding business as the three companies based in Bangladesh had captured significant orders from Europe in recent months.

"Shipbuilding industry has potential to earn billions and to bring benefits both to the people of Bangladesh and the European Union," the EC envoy said.

Chairman of Western Marine Shipyard Limited Saiful Islam, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Commodore M Farooque, President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCC&I) Saifuzzaman Chowdhury among others were present during the visit.

The CPA Chairman requested the EC envoy for facilitating high-tech shipbuilding training to human resources through their 'quality support program.'

The CCC&I President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury hoped that EC envoy's visit to the shipyard would help enhancing the Bangladesh shipbuilding industry and opening a new frontier of exporting ships to Europe.

WMSL Chairman sought assistance from the EC to develop skilled manpower through imparting training and transfer of technology to boost country's shipbuilding capabilities.

He said that shipbuilding boom held out bright prospects for a significant expansion of Bangladesh's commercial relation with the European Union. Currently Bangladesh enjoys around 4 billion-euro trade surpluses with EU countries.

First Secretary to the EC Charles Whitely, trade advisor to the EC A Razi Hai, Project Officer Jeni Christensen, advisor in the political and trade section Janatan Henriksson accompanied the EC envoy during the visit.