Bangladesh wants to introduce Bangabandhu marine scholarship through IMO: PM

On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh wants to introduce scholarships in the marine sector for small islands and African Least Developed Countries (LDC) after the name of Bangabandhu through the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

"We want to introduce 10 cadet training scholarships after the name of Bangabandhu through IMO," she said when its Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning, reports BSS.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the PM's speech Writer M. Nazrul Islam said that the IMO secretary general gladly received the proposal.

The scholarship awardees will be trained at Bangladesh Marine Academies.

The IMO secretary general stressed the need to take measures to increase the number of women mariners.

The Bangladesh premier said her government has first employed women mariners, inspiring them to be mariners.

She appreciated IMO for their efforts to free the crews of the hijacked Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah within a month.

Sheikh Hasina has called upon the IMO to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of marine life.

"Seaways are very important for our economy," she said.

She also said the surrounding countries of the Bay of Bengal are together ensuring the safety and security of seaways.

"Take similar initiatives in other places to ensure the safety of the seaways," she added.

During the meeting, shipbuilding and its recycling, along with climate change issues, were prominently discussed.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has enhanced safety measures in the shipbuilding and recycling industries.

"We have enhanced safety measures in the shipbuilding and recycling industries, and it is remarkable," the PM said.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is exporting ships to European countries as both the public and private sectors have engaged in shipbuilding.

The IMO secretary general said all have to follow the criteria set in the Hong Kong Convention.

Mentioning that Bangladesh signed the Hong Kong Convention last June, he said the criteria set in the convention will have to be followed; otherwise, Europe will not sell its old ships to any country.

The Bangladesh premier has sought help from the IMO to enhance its efforts in shipbuilding and recycling to protect the environment following the Hong Kong Convention.

About climate change, she said Bangladesh has to face floods, cyclones, and droughts due to the adverse impact of climate change.

Referring to recent cyclone Remal, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh suffered huge losses of property due to the long-lasting of the storm and tidal surge.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is trying to offset the climate change impact by forming a climate trust fund with its own finances.

PM's Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, among others, were present.