PM seeks IMO support for Bangladeshi seafarers’ employment

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought International Maritime Organization (IMO) assistance for employment of Bangladeshi seafarers in enhanced number in the foreign vessels.

“She sought the IMO cooperation as visiting Secretary General of IMO Kitack Lim called on her” at the PMO, premier’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told a news briefing after the meeting.

Karimn said the premier told the IMO secretary general that Bangladesh wants more engagement of the international maritime body for the development of the coastal shipping sector across the Bay of Bengal.

Sheikh Hasina also said Bangladesh is manufacturing high quality inland vessel and ocean going ships and being a developing country it need IMO supports for capacity building in shipping sector.

The prime minister drew the IMO chief’s attention to the ocean pollution issue saying the pollution is causing harm to the sea resources of Bangladesh.

Kitack Lim, Karim said, praised Bangladeshi seafarers saying Bangladesh, a B-category member of IMO, is doing well in IMO and the country has “big potentials in this sector”.

The IMO chief said he will visit ship building yards and maritime academy and related organizations institute in Chittagong during his visit to Bangladesh.

Premier’s adviser Gowher Rijvi and Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury were present during the call on.

Source: BSS