State Minister for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP, had a meeting with Secretary-General of The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco and stated that (IMO) is committed to resolving the `on arrival visa` complications for seafarers.
During the meeting, they discussed safety and security in the maritime sector. The State Minister emphasized, "This is the first visit of the IMO Secretary-General to Bangladesh in Asia, a positive signal for our maritime sector."
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury shared, “In the morning, the Secretary-General met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, where he felt hopeful and encouraged. With such leadership, any maritime nation can progress. Later, the Secretary-General paid his respects at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi 32 and visited the Bangabandhu Museum. He was amazed to learn that such a great leader lived in such a humble environment.”
The State Minister thanked the IMO Secretary-General for the full support and international cooperation through the IMO for the release of the MV Abdullah ship. He stated, “The Secretary-General praised our seriousness regarding the release of the MV Abdullah ship.” They also discussed various issues, including maritime safety and security, green shipbuilding, and adherence to the Hong Kong Convention.
Among others present were Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Md. Mostafa Kamal, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United States and Permanent Representative to IMO Saida Muna Tasneem, Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore M Maksud Alam, and Maritime Affairs Counselor and Alternate Permanent Representative to IMO Captain Kazi ABM Shamim.
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