Dhaka:The government of Bangladesh has initiated measures to streamline approval processes and eliminate obstacles to enhance the global competitiveness of the country's shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Commerce and Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir emphasized the importance of creating a business-friendly environment for international buyers by simplifying and accelerating pertinent procedures. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo urged authorities to hasten the establishment of a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) for ship recycling waste.
These initiatives were discussed during a meeting of a special committee tasked with reviewing existing regulations for the ship recycling industry. The meeting, held at the Commerce Ministry's conference room at the Secretariat, was chaired by Abdul Awal Mintoo and attended by State Minister for Shipping Md. Razib Ahsan.
Key topics included waste management, the modernization of ship recycling yards, and adherence to environmental standards, with a focus on processing relevant approvals from Chattogram to reduce delays. Muktadir highlighted the need for Bangladesh to enhance its competitiveness against other countries to secure international shipbuilding orders and suggested using policies from leading shipbuilding nations as benchmarks.
A special committee, led by Muktadir and involving the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), is working to simplify rules and procedures. The minister stressed the importance of effective policies and the necessity of ensuring their implementation and compliance, as unenforced rules lose their effectiveness.
The meeting also addressed the challenges of financing and outstanding loans within the shipbuilding sector. Muktadir urged stakeholders to focus on overcoming these issues rather than being bogged down by past loan complications, with discussions planned to expand facilities for entrepreneurs and remove existing barriers.
Mintoo highlighted the lack of a TSDF as a deterrent for European ships, which often contain valuable recyclable materials, from engaging with Bangladesh's ship recycling industry. He called for the swift implementation of the TSDF to ensure environmental compliance and attract more European business.
Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan introduced the working paper, noting the establishment of a working group on a one-stop service platform to support ship recycling activities. He mentioned ongoing efforts to develop guidelines for green ship recycling yards in line with the Hong Kong Convention and to decentralize the Department of Environment's clearance process.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need to complete approvals locally to shorten processing times and facilitate industry operations. Muktadir asserted that Bangladesh would prioritize the Hong Kong Convention to transform the ship recycling sector into an environmentally compliant industry, emphasizing the balance between environmental protection and economic potential.