Bangladesh aims to launch Bangabandhu marine scholarship thru IMO

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh wants to introduce scholarship in the marine sector for small islands and African Least Developed Countries (LDC) after the name of Bangabandhu through the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

"We want to introduce 10 cadet training scholarship after the name of Bangabandhu through IMO," she said when its Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence on Thursday.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, PM's Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam said that the IMO secretary-general gladly received the proposal.

The scholarship awardees will be trained in Bangladesh Marine Academies.

The IMO secretary-general stressed the need to take measures to increase women mariners.

The Bangladesh premier said her government has first employed women mariners alongside inspiring them to be mariners.

She appreciated IMO for their efforts to free the crews of the hijacked Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah within a month.

Sheikh Hasina has called upon the IMO to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of marine ways.

"Seaways are very important for our economy," she said.

She also said the surrounding countries of the Bay of Bengal together are ensuring the safety and security of seaways.

"Take similar initiatives in other places to ensure the safety of the seaways," she added.