PM for introducing Bangabandhu marine scholarship through IMO

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her willingness to introduce a marine sector scholarship for small islands and African Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

"We want to introduce 10 cadet training scholarships after the name of Bangabandhu through the IMO," she said when the organisation's Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence today (30 May).

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, PM's Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam said the IMO secretary general gladly received the proposal. The scholarship awardees will be trained in Bangladesh Marine Academies. 

In response to the IMO secretary general stressing the need for increasing female mariners, Sheikh Hasina said her government is the first to employ women mariners and inspire them to pursue this career path.

The premier appreciated IMO for their efforts to free the crews of the hijacked Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah within a month. She called upon the IMO to take appropriate measures to ensure marine safety and security.

"Seaways are very important for our economy," she said, adding that the surrounding countries of the Bay of Bengal are ensuring seaways' safety and security together.

Arsenio Dominguez arrived in Dhaka on 29 May on a four-day official visit.

The IMO secretary general also delivered a speech on "Towards a net zero shipping 2050: IMO's Vision for a just and equitable transition" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

He would visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

Arsenio would also visit Bangladesh's maritime and port infrastructure as well as Bangladesh's ship recycling industry. 

He would take a Guard of Honour at Bangladesh Marine Academy by Bangladesh cadet seafarers on the occasion of Bangladesh's International Day of Seafarers observance.