Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping  Mohammed Yousuf. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Oct 12, 2025 (BSS) - Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping 
Mohammed Yousuf today said that the government is taking prompt measures to 
remove the major bottlenecks in the country's shipping and shipbuilding 
sectors in order to enhance their efficiency, competitiveness, and investment 
potentials.

He said the ministry, in collaboration with the Department of Shipping and 
the private sector, has already initiated the process of amending existing 
laws and regulations to make the concerned operations smoother and more 
business-friendly.

Yousuf made such remarks while addressing a seminar titled "Investment 
Prospects in the Ocean-Going Ship Industry", held at the Economic Reporters 
Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital today.

The seminar was organised by the ERF, with Azam J Chowdhury, chairman of the 
Bangladesh Ocean Going Ship Owners' Association, attending as the special 
guest while Dr. Zaidi Sattar, chairman of the Policy Research Institute 
(PRI), presented the keynote paper.

ERF President Doulat Akter Mala chaired the session.

The Senior Shipping Secretary said that the shipping sector is currently 
facing multiple challenges including high raw material costs, financing 
complexities and limited port capacity.

Steps are being taken to simplify further the processes for ship registration 
and sale approval, he added. 

"In the future, such approvals will be granted directly by the Department of 
Shipping thus eliminating the need for ministry-level approval," he noted.

Regarding skilled manpower development, the Senior Secretary said that 
discipline has been ensured in marine training and CDC certification 
processes so that unqualified individuals cannot enter the maritime 
profession thereby maintaining international standards.

"We are gradually overcoming all obstacles," he said. "If we can successfully 
address these issues, the shipping and shipbuilding industries will become 
major drivers of national growth and foreign investment," Yousuf added.

Chairman of the Bangladesh Ocean Going Ship Owners' Association Azam J 
Chowdhury emphasized the need to ensure a level-playing field and equal 
opportunities for Bangladesh-flagged vessels.

He said the shipbuilding and shipping industries could be major alternative 
sources of earning foreign exchange for the country. 

"Continued tax exemptions and incentives for the sector will further boost 
investment and generate employment," he added.