Labour, Employment, and Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain held a bilateral meeting with Acting Singaporean Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow in Singapore this morning. Photo: PID

DHAKA, July 15, 2025 (BSS) - Labour and Employment and Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain has urged  Singapore to invest in port infrastructure development including shipping industry in  Bangladesh.

The adviser made this call during a bilateral meeting with Acting Singaporean Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow in Singapore this morning, a ministry press release said here. 
 
Shipping adviser said now there is a conducive environment of investment in shipping industries sector of Bangladesh, saying that now all the procedure for the investment is being done in transparently and openly.

“Singapore can invest in port infrastructure development including potential shipping sector of the country”, he added.

At the meeting, Dr M Sakhawat Hussain also informed the Singaporean Transport Minister about different development project undertaken by the Shipping Ministry. 

He also sought cooperation from Singapore on technological advancement and exchanging experience of port infrastructure construction and management.

The adviser said Singapore has excellent experience in port Infrastructure construction and management, adding that Singapore may invest in infrastructure development in important ports including different ports of Bangladesh, Bay terminal construction project, shipyard construction in Matarbari deep sea port and modernization of Mongla sea port.

Dr Sakhawat said the World Bank has given approval of a loan amounting to US$65 million to Bangladesh for construction of Bay terminal under Mega extension project at  Chattogram port.

If the terminal is constructed, then it will enhance the capability global trade competition of Bangladesh as the import and export expenditure will mostly reduce due to enhance of the port capacity.

Even the adviser also expressed hope that an agreement likely to be signed with Singapore for construction of Bay Container Terminal   by October.

He also requested the Singapore government for construction of International standard shipyard or dockyard at Matarbari deep sea port or any other places in Bangladesh.

The Transport minister of Singapore also assured the adviser about it.

The adviser also requested the Singapore government for giving opportunity of employment in Singapore for the trained skilled and meritorious mariners of Bangladesh Marine Academy.

He also urged Singapore government for providing transit visa to Bangladeshi sailors and the Singaporean transport minister has assured for taking initiative of providing transit or working visa to the Bangladeshi sailors quickly.

Bangladesh has announced candidacy as member of category ‘C’of International Maritime Organization (IMO) council for 2026-27 tenure. 

The adviser also seeks support of other member states including Singapore on behalf of Bangladesh during imminent election.

The senior officials of both the countries also attended the meeting.