DECCA, 16 November 2020, (TON): Bangladesh has progressed the shipbuilding industry by building its own dockyards and shipyards. On 15th November, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a speech saying, "We have built our own dockyards and shipyards. We have proved that we can do it, we can build it. Today, it is working for us. In the future, we will export warships”.

Prime Minister also attended the commissioning ceremony of nine ships and a base of Bangladesh Coast Guard at Patenga in Chittagong via video conferencing. Speaking on the occasion, she said, "In 1996, I came to the government and the instruction of the World Bank was to stop the Khulna shipyard due to unprofitable. But we had a plan to get access to the sea. Then I handed over the shipyard to the Bangladesh Navy. As Bangladesh is a riverine country, we needed badly a shipyard. For this, today, we are able to build our ships there". She added, "In ancient, there was a shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh. They used to export ships for there. So, we will do if Allah gives us such capability in future".

The Prime Minister said, today's commissioned ships would play an important role to protect the deep-see-dependent economy by keeping dynamic and safe, to ensure projects based on blue economy and personal security. She expressed her willingness to add the 3,500 tonnes of ships with hovercraft and drones to enhance the capability of the Coast Guard. Highlighting role of Narayanganj Dockyard and the Khulna shipyard, the Prime Minister said, another dockyard will be established at Gazaria in Munshiganj. She has called upon the force to work with patriotism, honesty, and remain dedicated to preserving the reputation of the Coast Guard.

The Prime Minister asked realized the public for utilizing marine resources for economic development. She said that the importance of the Bay of Bengal is for us. She would emphasize the protection of the coastal people who are neglected. She added that the government has taken a plan on how to utilize marine resources for economic development.