State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury attended the handover ceremony as the chief guest on the shipyard premises.
Commander of Khulna naval area of Bangladesh Navy Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, Chairman of Mongla Port Authority Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad, PPA Chairman Commodore M Zahangir Alam and Managing Director of Khulna Shipyard Ltd Captain M Sazedul Karim were, among others, present, said a PID handout.
Speaking on the occasion, the state minister said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will emerge as a powerful country in South Asia in near future.
There were huge criticisms when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over Khulna Shipyard to Navy in 1999, he said. “However, Prime Minister’s decision has been proved right in today’s reality. The shipyard is bringing glory from across the globe transcending the national boundaries.”
The government is giving priority to sea and river-centric economy, the state minister said. “The government is constructing new sea ports like Payra and Matarbari to boost the economy.”