India has made a 10-year plan to set its maritime economy as a global benchmark! Does Bangladesh have any opportunities to grow with its friendly neighbor? Are we included as a country in its decade long plan?
The Report brings to you answers straight from the Indian High Comission in Bangladesh. Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner appointed in Bangladesh spoke to The Report at the Maritime India Summit 2021.
Doraiswami was speaking at Day -2 of the Maritime India Summit – 2021 in a plenary session on ‘Water Transport- Promoting Cargo and Passenger Movement, Sea Planes tourism.’
The Report brought into attention Bangladesh’s position in the Indian Maritime Vision 2030. Subsequently, raised question concerning Bangladesh’s stand in the ambitious Indian Maritime vision 2030.
On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the second edition of the World Maritime Summit. He launched the event virtually and announced his ambitious plans to make the Indian maritime industry a global benchmark within the next decade.
“Maritime Vision 2030” e-book was also launched by the premier. The books contains a plethora of reforms and projects for the Maritime economy to boost in India.
The 3-day event will be graced by ministers from eight nations, over 50 global CEOs and more than 160 speakers from 24 nations including 1.7 lakhs participants from across the globe, said Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (MoS) Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Independent Charge) in his welcome speech on Day – 1 of the summit.
The Maritime India Summit 2021 is being organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on a virtual platform www.maritimeindiasummit.in from March 2 to March 4 via video conferencing.
The Report made a query to the HCI, Dhaka on Day - 2 of the summit during a plenary session.
The Report to Vikram Doraiswami: Where does Bangladesh stand in India’s maritime vision 2030? Please share the project plans that India has with Bangladesh, which are included in the Indian Maritime Vision 2030.
The High Commissioner of India talked about India’s enthusiasm in contributing to the development of Bangladesh’s port infrastructure. The special focus will be on Chittagong port, the largest port in Bangladesh.
Vikram Doraiswami to The Report: “The Maritime Vision 2030 is largely driven out of the Ministry of Shipping, but the broader point here is that we are interested in participating in the development of maritime infrastructure in Bangladesh including the upgradation of Port infrastructure at Chittagong,” told Doraiswami.
Speaking about developing the Chittagong Port, Doraiswami mentioned the Bay Container terminal project which is currently a work in progress.
“We have funds set aside for both (Mongla and Patenga ports) of these projects”. He also spoke about India’s plans to support in the upgradation and increase in facilities at the Mongla Port in Khulna.
“We are also offering funding for our line of credit for connectivity between Khulna town and Mongla port, so that Mongla can be connected with the major consumption centre in Khulna.”
“Similarly, in Chattogram we have intentions to try and facilitate greater connectivity to Chattagrom both by road and inland water-way connectivity,'' added Doraiswami.
India wants to maximize the utilization of facilities that Bangladesh has already developed, he told The Report at the session.
Vikram Doraiswami to The Report: Beyond that we are also keen to expand the road and railway connectivity which will help in a multimodal sense to link up with Indian waterways and ports in Bangladesh.
Mr Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of States (IC) for Civil Aviation, Housing and Urban Affairs and Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Government of India delivered the opening remarks of this session. The session was convened by Mr Rajiv Jalota, Chairman, Mumbai Port Trust.
