Brigadier General (retd.) called for the establishment of direct maritime communication between Bangladesh and Norway. M Sakhawat Hossain. Norway's ambassador to Bangladesh, Haakon Arald Gulbrandsen, made this call when he met at the Ministry of Shipping on Sunday (November 10) morning.
M Sakhawat Hossain said that the important destination of exports from Bangladesh is European Union countries. Garment products of Bangladesh have already entered the Norwegian market. At present, it takes 40 to 45 days or more to reach European Union countries from Chittagong port through transshipment, whereas if direct shipping is established in Norway, it is possible to reach goods from Chittagong to any port in Norway within 15 days. It will take less than 18 to 23 days on average. Also, freight costs will be significantly reduced.
Therefore, the shipping advisor emphasized the need to sign a special shipping agreement between Bangladesh and Norway in this regard.
Welcoming the adviser's proposal, the Norwegian ambassador said that the two countries have a long history of mutual relations, development cooperation and commercial relations. Various Norwegian companies are interested in working in Bangladesh in other sectors including ship industry.
The adviser said that Norway can make technical and financial investments in the construction of dockyards in Mongla and Matarbari deep sea ports.
He also said that the Bangladesh government, like the Norwegian government, is also working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the sea. For this purpose automation process is being introduced to bring ports under digitization. The advisor expressed hope that the Norwegian government would cooperate in converting the ports of Bangladesh into green ports.
The Norwegian ambassador assured Bangladesh of all kinds of cooperation on behalf of the Norwegian government. He expressed interest in investing in ship electrification and other areas including construction of shipping lighthouses.
The advisor said Bangladesh has a strong presence in the maritime sector. The Ministry of Shipping is working closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the development of the maritime sector. He also expressed the opinion that Bangladesh has a role in determining various policies of the international maritime sector. The advisor expects Norway's support for Bangladesh in the upcoming IMO elections in 2025. The ambassador said that Norway is always on the side of Bangladesh.
At this time, the secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. Abdur Rauf, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Delwara Begum, senior officials of the Ministry were present.
