Netherlands' Damen Shipyards keen to invest in Bangladesh

Damen, a very common name in global shipping industry, wants to invest in Bangladesh in a bigger way, says its top executive.

Chief Executive Officer of Damen René Berkvens expressed their investment interest to Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal during a meeting held in The Hague recently.

Bangladesh's geo-strategic position, political stability and economic growth of last 10 years are key elements to consider Bangladesh as Damen's next investment destination, said the Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague on Friday.

Ambassador Belal and Embassy officials paid a visit to Damen Shipyard at Gorinchem, The Netherlands and have seen different models of water going vessels available in the yard.

Damen's investment in Bangladesh would open up a new avenue for Bangladesh's shipping sector and accelerate economic benefit, said the Bangladesh Embassy.

With regard to investment, Damen would look for common basis of understanding and long term relation, it said.

Since the 1970s, Damen is active in shipping sector of Bangladesh. Damen has been providing dredgers to Bangladesh since long.

This leading company is having significant cooperation with BIWTA, Ministry of Water Resources, Khulna Shipyard, Chattogram Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast-Guard, said the Embassy.

During the meeting, Ambassador Belal apprised the CEO of Damen about Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100 and how the Bangladesh government is taking preparations to  implement the plan phase by phase.

He requested Damen to be part of this historic plan and approached him to come up with a plan of business expansion in Bangladesh.

In response to Ambassador's request, the CEO promised to visit Bangladesh in April 2019 to verify the potentials of investment in Bangladesh.

Ambassador Belal assured him all-out support to make his visit successful.

Ambassador Belal also highlighted both ongoing and upcoming mega projects in Bangladesh and urge them to be part of this development journey.

Damen, a 91-year old family owned company with a turnover of 2 billion Euro is having substantial presence in Poland, Romania, Vietnam, Dubai, China, Sharjah, Cape Town.

Under the umbrella of Damen Shipyards group, worldwide they have 52 companies (in the Netherlands 24 and international 28) which has been creating employment for 12000 employers.

They have the capacity to provide all kinds of vessels, like- tug boats, offshore vessels, high speed craft and ferries, pontoons and berges, dredging and specials, defence and security vessels and yachts.

Source: unb