(BSS) - Danish shipping and logistics giant Maersk Line has expressed interest in making direct investment in Bangladesh`s shipbuilding industry, while discussions were also held on the possibility of investment in the country`s ship recycling sector.

The issues came up at a meeting held today at the residence of Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir in the city, said a press release.

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Bricks Moller and Managing Director of A.P. Moller Singapore Pte Ltd Rene Pil Pedersen attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the Danish ambassador said Maersk Line is interested in directly investing in Bangladesh`s shipbuilding industry.

The Danish company has long been operating ships and conducting shipping and logistics businesses globally with a strong reputation.

The commerce minister urged Maersk to expand its investment not only in shipbuilding but also in Bangladesh`s ship recycling industry.

He said Maersk operates a large fleet of vessels worldwide, and Bangladesh could emerge as a promising hub for both building new ships and environmentally sound, internationally compliant recycling of the company`s older vessels.

The meeting noted that Bangladesh has long-standing experience and significant potential in both shipbuilding and ship recycling.

Attracting large-scale international investment in these sectors could accelerate industrialisation and help the country tap into its blue-economy potential.

Such investment could also play an important role in creating employment, transferring technology and skills, and developing related industries, the meeting observed.

Joint Secretary (FTA) of the Commerce Ministry Md Firoz Uddin, Joint Secretary (FTA-2) Mahbuba Khatun Minu, Joint Secretary of the Industries Ministry Khairuzzaman, Head of Business Development, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at A.P. Moller Maersk Group Vivek Sharma, Country Director (Public Affairs) of Maersk Bangladesh Limited Khalid Mustafiz Gaffar, and Senior Adviser for Trade, Investment and Danida Business at the Royal Danish Embassy Samina Ahsan Shahrokh were also present.