<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday assured that relevant authorities of Bangladesh will give due consideration to a proposal of Danish shipping and logistic giant Maersk Group for constructing and operating a new container terminal at Laldia of Chattogram.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister made the assurance when Chief Executive Officer of the Maersk Group Robert Maersk Uggla along with Danish Charges D’Affaires in Bangladesh Andres B Karlsen called on her at her office.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Over 50 Danish Companies are working in Bangladdsh, and Maersk Group is now interested to construct and operate APM terminal at Laldia,”&nbsp; Hasina said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The PM said that a national committee has been formed to formulate logistic policy for the development of ports.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this regard, she mentioned that two ports- Chattogram and Mongla are already in operation while the government is developing another named Paira Port and it will will come in to operation soon.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“India, Nepal and Bhutan have been given opportunities to use these ports for the mutual benefits,” the prime minister said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There will be many opportunities and advantages in the ports particularly in the Paira port, she added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pointing out contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman&nbsp; for the development and welfare of the nation, Sheikh Hasina said, the great leader struggled throughout his life for the economic emancipation of the people.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the meeting, the Maersk Group CEO said, there are great potentials in the areas of container shipping and logistic support in Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maersk Uggla welcomed vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to establish smart Bangladesh and said it will be reflected in Chattogram sea port, according to the press secretary.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He expressed keenness to invest for the development of port and logistic supports in Bangladesh saying there are many opportunities in this sectors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this context, the Maersk Group CEO mentioned that H&amp;M, M&amp;S, Walmart and other big companies are interested to import more RMG products from Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said that there are many opportunities to diversify cooperation, while the Danish government is very much supportive in the logistic policy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Chairman of Chattogram Port Authority Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail were present. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>