Chittagong, 12 February 2013: A Seven member German Parliamentary Delegation (Bundestag) accompanied by members of the German Embassy Dhaka paid a goodwill visit on 10th Feb 2013 to the leading shipyard company Western Maine at Patiya, Chittagong. The delegation was headed by Mr. Josef Winkler Member of the German National Parliament.
The delegation is on a 4 day visit to Bangladesh. During their stay they will call on the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the member of the opposition and other important institutions: garment factory and shipyards.
In welcoming the delegation, the Managing Director of Western Marine Mr. Sakhawat informed the group about the delivery of eight 5200DWT MPC vessel to Germany in the recent past, as well as about earlier high level visits from Germany to the Shipyard.
He mentioned that currently 26 German companies are supplying engines and machineries worth $ 70 million per year to the shipyard for the last few years, which is continuingly growing.
On the way to shipyard by River Karnafully, the delegates saw two newly built vessels: one Multi-Purpose dry cargo ship Stella Atlantic heavy 4100 DWT capacity which will operate in Europe. Another Ro-Ro passenger ship, ISEF JORD with carrying capacity of 147 passengers and 28 units of Vehicles has been built for Danish owner Hundested Rorvig Faergefart which will operate in Danish costal area which were delivered to the European owners on 06 Feb 2013.
Dr.Ralf Reusch, Deputy Head of Mission while delivering his speech said that he was proud to see the German Flags hoisted everywhere and mentioned about the GiZ functioning in the yard He hoped that this progress and its story will continue. Mr. Holger Ortel said that it was really good to come BD and know that you are capable of building good quality ships
Ms. Monika Hein, Parliament Administration in her address mentioned about her previous visit to Western Marine and said that whenever she visits Boston she always sees Bangladeshi vessels later, Dr.Ms. Birgit Reinemund said in her speech that it was important for her to know about the financial /banking matters which could be pushed from the German.
The head of delegation Mr. Josef Winkler in his speech said that he was extremely pleased with the status of the shipyard & technical data, present market status he also mentioned about the excellent job that GiZ have been doing for the Shipyard workers as well as the community. Finally he expressed his hope that the German Bangladesh trade relation will continue to grow further. He concluded by saying that he would act as the ambassador for Western Maine to promote business in Germany.
