The Philippine government will consider supporting Bangladesh while electing secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said the country`s Transport Minister Jamie J. Bautista.
He said this while having a meeting with Bangladeshi state minister of shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury in Philippines` capital Manila.
Bautista who is officially the Secretary of the Department of Transportation in Philippines assured that his country will always cooperate in the advancement of Bangladesh`s marine sector.
He informed about this cooperation in a meeting with Bangladeshi state minister on Monday. The meeting was held after the opening ceremony of the `International Chamber of Shipping Summit` at the Hotel Conrad in Manila.
At the beginning of the meeting, the state minister for shipping said that Bangladesh has good relations with the Philippines for 50 years.
Khalid expressed his gratitude to the government and people of the Philippines as the country is one of the first Southeast Asian countries to recognize Bangladesh`s independence. He also mentioned that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paid a brief visit to the Philippines after independence as a token of gratitude for recognizing Bangladesh.
Khalid expressed hope of strengthening mutual cooperation between the Philippines and Bangladesh in the maritime sector.
Since Bangladesh has nominated a candidate for the post of secretary general of the IMO for the period of 2024-2027, state minister sought the support of the Philippines on Bangladesh`s behalf.
The state minister said, “Government of Bangladesh is taking many steps to develop the marine sector. Many are showing interest in investing in the marine sector. Four new Marine Academies and a National Maritime Institute have been established to produce skilled mariners and seafarers in the maritime sector during the tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University has been established with the aim of obtaining higher degrees for mariners.”
State minister Khalid thanked the minister of Philippines for inviting him to the Summit.
The theme of the International Chamber of Shipping Summit is ‘Shaping the Future of Shipping-Seafarers 2050’. The Philippines hosted the conference to address the critical need for seafarers till 2050. The event is jointly arranged by the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Maritime Employers Council and the International Transport Workers` Federation.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr inaugurated the summit. Minister of State for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, ministers, ambassadors and world leaders of the marine sector from various countries including the Philippines were present at the opening ceremony.
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