Government to provide technical assistance to shipbreaking industry: Commerce Minister

Industry and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abul Muktadir said that the government will provide necessary technical and support to entrepreneurs to modernize the Sitakunda coast-centered shipbreaking industry, one of the largest economic sectors of Bangladesh, and achieve international standards. He said this while talking to reporters after visiting various shipbreaking yards in Chittagong on Monday (July 6) morning.
Regarding the existing gas crisis in the country’s industrial sector, the minister said that the current government has inherited this crisis. It is not possible to increase gas production overnight. However, the government is working to implement a special program (crash program) to increase production quickly. He said that additional gas supply is not possible at the moment as the capacity of the current pipeline infrastructure is limited. This crisis cannot be solved through imports alone. Therefore, the government is giving utmost importance to increasing domestic production.

Regarding the shipbreaking industry, the minister said that the government is working to bring Bangladesh back to the top in the world’s shipbreaking industry. Environmental pollution control, worker safety and working conditions in this industry have improved a lot compared to before. However, entrepreneurs will have to take green certification to operate the industry according to global standards.
In a later exchange of views, shipyard owners highlighted the liquidity crisis in the banking sector, some policy decisions of the interim government regarding this industry, and various existing problems in this sector. The Industries Minister visited two other shipyards, including PHP Ship Breaking and Recycling Industries in Sitakunda. He was accompanied by BSBRA President Mohammad Mohsin and other leaders.