INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry held discussions with State Minister of Shipping in Bangladesh holding Cabinet rank Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury for
further collaboration in the shipping sector on Wednesday.During the discussion, both Ministers emphasised the importance of shipping as one
of the key areas selected for collaboration between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.Ministers Ali Sabry and Khalid Chowdhury agreed that it is
important to hold the 2nd Session of Joint Working Group and Joint Secretary level talks early, in order to enhance the cooperation in the
sector.Further, both the Ministers discussed finalizing the proposed Agreement on Coastal Shipping between the two countries and also the
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Feeder Service between Colombo and Chattogram.Minister Sabry highlighted that Bangladesh is a very
are transported from Chattogram using the Port of Colombo and thereby reducing the cost and time for Bangladeshi exports, compared to
deep sea port with the assistance of Japan and Bangladesh always targets to keep direct connectivity between Colombo and Chattogram ports
ports.Further, the Minister briefed the Bangladesh side, about the opportunities available for foreign investors in the Colombo Port City
and invited Bangladesh investors to see the potential available in Sri Lanka.The Bangladesh side requested the Sri Lanka side to consider
offering priority berthing to the Bangladesh vessels, which arrive in to Colombo port.Both sides discussed further collaboration as
Bangladesh is a country which widely uses the Colombo Port as a transshipment hub.The Ministers agreed that the development of the shipping
sector is a positive factor for tourism development of the two countries
The necessity of having strong air connectivity and the entry of private airlines was also discussed.Minister Ali Sabry is in Dhaka to
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
