Bangladesh has urged the United States to invest more to create more skilled manpower for the country’s railway sector.
Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan made this call when US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller paid a courtesy call on him at Railway Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday. During the meeting all issues related to how the United States can cooperate with Bangladesh Railway were discussed.
During the discussion, the Minister of Railways mentioned about 40 broad gauge locomotives made in the United States.
He said that, “40 locomotives will come in five lots and eight of the first lot have already reached in the country. In addition, the 100 locomotives that Hyundai Rotem of South Korea will supply to Bangladesh will also be supplied by the same American company Progress Rail Equipment”.
He requested for taking steps to make available of spare parts, including training for the creation of skilled manpower to operate these locomotives.
He also called on the United States to look into how advanced technology can be integrated into the country's railways.
The Railway Minister highlighted the infrastructure problems of the country’s railways and said that, “It was very important to build a double line. We expect cooperation of the United States to construction railway double line in our country”.
Sujon also said that “The US business delegation could look into various areas of investment in railways in Bangladesh”.
He called for the construction of passenger coaches and locomotive factories in the country.
The meeting also discussed the purchase of ten more locomotives from Progress Rail, an American supplier at the same price. The US delegation expressed positive interest in these issues.
The meeting was attended by Jeffrey Dirks, Economic Officer at the US Embassy in Bangladesh. Railways Secretary Md. Selim Reza, Director General of Bangladesh Railway Dhirendra Nath Majumder and several senior officials were present.
