Netherlands had earlier extended helping hand for development of Chattogram port. This time, a Dutch delegation visited the port and assured of further support.
The team said that the Netherlands is interested in investing in the Bay Terminal, one of the development projects of the port. Dutch Ambassador in Bangladesh Harry Verweij said these after visiting construction site of the terminal recently. He was accompanied by Netherlands Economic Advisers Mannuzan Khanam and Omar Hajjaj.
Earlier, the Dutch delegation held a meeting with Chittagong Port Authority at the port building. They said in the meeting that the Dutch government wants work together with the port authority. Acting Chairman of Chattogram Port and Member (Administration, Planning) Md. Zafar Alam, Director (Administration) Md. Mominur Rashid, Secretary Md. Omar Faruq and Deputy Secretary Md. Azizul Mawla were present at the meeting.
During the meeting, the Dutch delegation was briefed about activities of the port and the project.
It was discussed that tugboats will be purchased to increase the capacity of Chittagong port. The vessels that have brought in the excavation work of the port have already expired 10-15 years. The port authorities have difficulty with the tug boats purchased through tenders from China. The maintenance costs of this ship are increasing daily.
The Netherlands government had extended its helping hand to work at Chittagong Port. Skill development began in March 2017 under the 'Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Development in Higher Education' project. The three-year project will be completed in February 2020. The meeting discussed how to make the project more relevant in the future.
Port Secretary Md. Omar Faruq said the Dutch Ambassador has discussed bilateral issues.