Maldives wants direct link with Ctg port

Dhaka, July 14 (bdnews24.com)?The Maldives wants to have direct shipping link between Chittagong and Hithadhoo ports to import more from Bangladesh.

The construction sector is booming in the Maldives and it is possible to import construction materials, including river sand, iron and metal bar, visiting state minister and chairman of Hithadhoo port of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid said on Wednesday.

He was speaking at a discussion arranged by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in the city.

"I had a discussion with the Bangladesh commerce minister to export more from Bangladesh at a reasonable price. Direct shipping link can help boost Bangladeshi exports to our country," he said.

The link is possible only when the ships, sailed for the Maldives, will have enough consignments to recover the costs, he added.

"I will discuss with some shipping companies today to explore the ways to set up the link."

FBCCI president AK Azad said both the governments might take initiative to establish direct air-link to facilitate people-to-people contact and tourism.

The Maldives ambassador to Dhaka Ahmed Sareer said 60,000 Bangladeshis are working in his country and they may recruit more professionals from Bangladesh.

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