Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The Netherlands on Saturday expressed its keen interest to work together with Bangladesh for expansion of shipbuilding industry here at a time when the world’s shipbuilding industry faces setback due to the financial crisis.
The interest was shown at a ‘matchmaking seminar’ for ‘Shipbuilding Sector of Bangladesh and the Netherlands’ at a city hotel.
Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd (ASSL) and the Netherlands Embassy jointly organized the seminar backed by Holland Marine Equipment, a Dutch business group.
Charge d’Affairs of the Netherlands embassy Doris Voorbraak spoke on the occasion. ASSL chairman Dr. Abdullahel Bari delivered the welcome speech on the occasion, joined by Dutch shipbuilding companies.
The seminar was aimed at introducing the Dutch companies to the Bangladeshi shipbuilding companies and exploring the area of cooperation.
Participating Dutch companies were Vuyk Engineering Groningen, Dagin Marine Technology, Heatmaster, Rubber Design, Winteb, Eurovalve, Neddeck Marine, HRP and Gea Bloksma.
Voorbraak said the world’s shipbuilding industry might appear gloomy as orders are cancelled and the overall trade volume is down due to the global financial meltdown.
Bangladesh is perceived 15 percent cheaper than its main components such as Vietnam mainly due to low labour cost, she said.
The Dutch companies are always eager to identify new business opportunities abroad, especially in the shipbuilding industry, which is strongly export focused, Voorbraak added.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-30January10-7:30 pm (BST)