DHAKA, Jan 13, 2020 (BSS) – The Gentium-Damen Consortium Group, a joint
venture of Dutch based Damen Group and Australia based Gentium Solutions, is
set to construct a new world class shipyard at Char Nissanbaria and
Madhyopara Mouza near the Payra port under Patuakhali district.
In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be inked tomorrow
between Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC) and Gentium-Damen
Consortium Group at Industries Ministry conference room in the city.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun will be present at the
signing function as the chief guest while State Minister for Industries Kamal
Ahmed Mojumder will attend as the special guest.
Industries Secretary Abdul Halim will preside over the function.
Secretary of the BSEC Engineer Md Abul Khayer Sardar and Area Director for
Asia Pacific of the Dutch Conglomerates Damen Group Roland Briene and Co-
Chairman of the Gentium Solutions Group (Australia) Ikthedar Hassan Murad
will sign the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
Talking to BSS, Ikthedar Hassan Murad said Gentium-Damen Consortium Group
will take steps for feasibility study to develop the world class shipyard
after signing the MoU.
“We are running shipyard in more than 35 countries, including China,
Vietnam and Poland. This will be our first shipyard in a South Asian country.
After the feasibility study, we can assess our investment in the project,” he
added.
Murad said they will complete the feasibility study within one year and
focus on export related products.
As per the Industries Ministry, the key aim of this MoU is to bring
together Global Tier 1 European Shipbuilding and Marine experience, global
best practices into the business of Bangladesh, and bring a deep
understanding of and a passion for Bangladesh with a desire to assist the
country on its exciting development path.
Construction of the proposed facility will see the introduction and
transfer of cutting-edge industry knowledge and expertise to Bangladesh and
provide strong employment for the region.
It is envisioned that many ships and vessels produced at the proposed
Shipbuilding Facility will be designed and built specifically for the export
market, driving remittances into Bangladesh and building sustainable
employment.
The Shipbuilding Facility will also assist the local Bangladesh market
with the task of meeting the very high levels of demand for Dredging
equipment, (shallow draft) ships, and large-scale cargo ships.
The proposed Shipbuilding Facility will also have the capacity to produce
more sophisticated scientific, research, exploration, and defence equipment
in the coming years.
The construction and operation of the proposed Shipbuilding Facility will
assist in addressing the current problems associated with the capacity of the
Bangladesh shipping industry to construct and supply enough vessels to meet
current and future market requirements, some of which are more particularly
detailed in the Vision 2041 and Delta Plan 2100.