Minister urges faster shipbuilding funds

Commerce and Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has stressed the need to ensure that funds reach genuine entrepreneurs promptly, to promote the country’s shipbuilding industry.

He stated that as the number of entrepreneurs and companies in the sector is relatively small, a suitable financing mechanism should be developed considering their needs and capabilities.

In this regard, direct fund disbursement through Bangladesh Bank, as well as financing through selective banks or financial institutions, could be considered. He also emphasized the need to remove delays in fund disbursement to enhance the industry’s international competitiveness and export potential.

The minister made the remarks while chairing a discussion meeting on financing, faster fund disbursement, and support for the shipbuilding industry at the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

The minister reiterated that the number of entrepreneurs and the scale of companies in the country’s shipbuilding industry remain relatively limited, meaning the actual needs and capabilities of entrepreneurs must be prioritized in developing a financing mechanism for the sector.

He noted that easy access to finance, alongside effective institutional support, is essential for the industry’s development and capacity enhancement.

The industries minister emphasized the need to establish effective partnerships between the public and private sectors for the long-term development of the shipbuilding industry.