Brigadier General (R.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Textiles and Jute, said that marine cadets and ratings work on domestic and foreign ships, earning a substantial amount of foreign currency, which contributes to our economy. Therefore, the role of marine cadets is immensely important in the economic development of the country.
Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain came up with the assertion while responding to various questions from journalists after visiting the Bangladesh Marine Academy on Monday.
He said that Bangladesh Marine Academy in Chattogram is Bangladesh's prime marine academy. The cadets here receive training of international standards. A significant portion of our foreign currency comes from the maritime sector.
In response to the question about why Bangladeshi cadets, despite proving their skills abroad, show a lack of interest in their own country, the advisor said, "I have discussed with everyone in the ministry how to resolve all these issues. We will identify the reasons behind the cadets' disinterest in the country and motivate them with a sense of patriotism."
After inspecting the ongoing work and simulators of the project titled ‘Modernization of Bangladesh Marine Academy through Infrastructural Restructuring,’ implemented by Bangladesh Marine Academy, the advisor provided necessary guidance on the progress of the project.
Later, after watching the parade of the Marine Academy cadets, he planted a tree beside the Seafarers’ Memorial.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral S.M. Moniruzzaman, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, the Managing Director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), the head of the Mercantile Marine Office, and other officials from the academy were present.
