Sakhawat seeks JICA's cooperation in developing 'National Port Strategy'
It is unfortunate but true that no integrated port management strategy has been formulated in Bangladesh even in the last 50 years, he says
Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain today (26 January) called upon the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide Bangladesh financial and technical assistances in formulating the National Port Strategy (NPS) for attracting larger foreign investment in the country's maritime sector.
"We are calling on JICA to provide technical and financial assistance in formulating this important port strategy for Bangladesh's port management," he said at a meeting held with a delegation of JICA, Bangladesh at the secretariat this morning.
A 5-member delegation led by ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, chief representative of JICA Bangladesh, and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Mohammed Yousuf were present at the meeting.
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The shipping adviser said it is unfortunate but true that no integrated port management strategy has been formulated in Bangladesh even in the last 50 years.
He said each port adopts its activities and development plans separately despite the fact that like the developed world, modern and integrated effective port management is the need of the hour in Bangladesh too.
"The world's famous ports are now managing their activities through automation," he said, adding that as a result, more and more foreign investment is being made there.
Mentioning that Japan has long experience in sea port management, the Shipping Adviser said, "To attract more domestic and foreign investment in our maritime sector and to ensure an effective and sustainable port management, the current government has taken the initiative to formulate a "National Port Strategy'."
Sakhawat hoped that a new chapter will begin in the country's maritime sector through the formulation of the 'National Port Strategy' with the support of JICA.
Through this strategy, he said an integrated, strong and modern port structure will be developed and a maritime single window will be launched to bring all port-centric services to a single platform.
The JICA delegation welcomed the adviser's proposal to formulate the Bangladesh National Port Strategy and said that Bangladesh is a true friend of Japan.
"Japan is always by the side of the people of Bangladesh. The JICA delegation assured all-out cooperation in the formulation of the National Port Strategy," a press release of the ministry said, quoting the JICA delegation.
The Shipping Adviser described Japan as a tested friend of Bangladesh.
Since the independence, JICA has been making important contributions to the education, health, agriculture, energy transport and infrastructure sectors of Bangladesh, he said.
"With the overall support of JICA, the country's first deep sea port is being built in Matarbari," he added.
The meeting reviewed the progress of the construction of Matarbari Deep Sea Port and shed light on various technical issues and hoped that the Sea Port would be operational by 2030.
