Bangladesh Shipping Minister visits SLPA

Thursday, 9 June 2011 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A special delegation from Bangladesh arrived in Sri Lanka headed by Minister of Shipping of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Shajahan Khan and made an exclusive visit to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday.

Following fruitful discussions with Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama, Chairman of SLPA, Khan expressed confidence about strengthening ties between the two countries, to use Sri Lanka as the maritime hub in South Asia to make maritime activities from Bangladesh viable and economic. The Minister also expressed that maritime transactions with Sri Lanka were cost effective and economically viable to the volumes handled in Bangladesh.

The discussions were followed by a SLPA presentation conducted by Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, Managing Director of SLPA.

Out of the total annual volume of 1.3 million TEUs handled at Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, 23% (nearly 300,000TEUs) is handled via the Port of Colombo.

The Bangladesh delegation headed by its Shipping Minister also included Sohrab Hossain Sheikh – Private Secretary to the Minister of Shipping, Md. Abdul Quddus – Joint Secretary (Commercial) of the Ministry of Shipping, Istiaque U.Ahmed – Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh, Ruhul Amin Tarofdar – Terminal Operator of the Chittagong Port and Shahadat Hossain – Berth Operator of the Chittagong Port.

Additional Managing Director of SLPA Norman Weerarathne, Chief Manager (Marketing and Business Development) Upul Jayatissa and Deputy Chief Manager (Communication and Public Relations) Nalin Aponso were also present at the occasion.

The delegation will also visit Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port today (9 June).