Dhaka: Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping Brigadier General (retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain today sought the support of other IMO member states, including Djibouti, for Bangladesh as the country is contesting as a Category-C member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026-27 term. He made the call when Djibouti's non-resident ambassador to Bangladesh, Issei Abdillahi Assoueh, met him at his ministry, said a press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sakhawat emphasized Bangladesh's status as a maritime nation with three operational seaports and a deep seaport under construction at Matarbari. He highlighted the significant contributions of fifty-four inland river ports to the country's shipping sector and noted the export of ships manufactured in Bangladesh. Sakhawat underscored Bangladesh's active role in key international maritime issues and announced the country's candidacy for the IMO Council to enhance its maritime sector and contribute globally.
Sakhawat, who also serves as Labour and Employment Adviser, reiterated the need for support from other countries, including Djibouti, in the upcoming election. The Non-Resident Ambassador of Djibouti, Issei Abdillahi Assoueh, welcomed this proposal, affirming Djibouti's solidarity with Bangladesh and assuring that support will be extended in the IMO elections.
Sakhawat also mentioned the provision of international standard training in Bangladesh's marine academies and invited Djiboutian students and sailors to receive training in Bangladesh. He briefed the Ambassador on the potential of Bangladesh's shipbuilding industry, noting that world-class ships are being constructed in the country's shipyards.
The Ambassador expressed interest in importing ships from Bangladesh to Djibouti. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. Shipping Secretary Mohammad Yusuf and senior officials from the Shipping Ministry and Foreign Ministry attended the meeting.