The Bangladesh Cutter Suction Dredger Owners Association (BCSDOA) held its Membership Certificate and Card Distribution Ceremony yesterday evening at The Crystal Palace Hall of Gulshan Club. Existing members of the association participated in the event and formally received their membership certificates and ID cards.
The event was presided over by Mr. Bashir Ahmed, Honorable President of BCSDOA and Managing Director of Western Engineering Pvt. Ltd. In his speech, he said, “We are now a family of 51 members, united under one roof, committed to advancing the dredging industry of Bangladesh. Expanding the scope of the association and increasing member engagement will further strengthen this vital sector.”
He raised concerns over the increasing involvement of foreign dredging contractors and the neglect of local businesses. “If local companies are not prioritized, our industry will be at risk. Some foreign contractors are being encouraged due to individual and vested interests, which is harming local investors,” he stated.
Mr. Ahmed alleged that foreign contractors, under the Open Tender Method (OTM), often subcontract work to local companies. “They take a large portion of the profit, while local contractors are left with minimal margins. This unfair practice must be stopped,” he asserted.
He further pointed out that many foreign companies do not re-export their dredgers after project completion, using them repeatedly within Bangladesh, which leads to significant tax evasion. “The same dredging projects, when awarded through international tenders, cost three to four times more. If awarded to local firms, the same work can be completed more efficiently and at a much lower cost,” he added.
“We, a collective of 75 local dredging entrepreneurs, urge the government to take effective measures to curb foreign dominance and protect our national industry,” Mr. Ahmed concluded.
The event began with a welcome speech by Mr. Rakibul Alam, Vice President of BCSDOA and Chairman of SS Rahman International. He encouraged all members to work more closely with the association to strengthen the dredging industry and protect the interests of member institutions.
Prominent attendees included:
Commodore (Retd.) Hasan Zaman Khan, Director, Radiant Dredging
Brigadier General (Retd.) Md. Abdul Halim, Senior Advisor, Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd.
Mr. M. Shahjahan, Managing Director, Chakda Dredging & Engineering Pvt. Ltd.
Ms. Abdullah Nahid Nigar, Managing Director, Dredging and Development Union Ltd.
Mr. Md. Shamim Reza, Managing Director, Asian Dredgers Ltd. and Executive Committee Member of BCSDOA
Mr. Mohammad Yunus, Managing Director of Sonali Dredgers Ltd. and Senior Vice President of BCSDOA, also delivered a guiding address. He stated, “If we work collectively, not only will the owners involved in this sector benefit, but the association itself will grow stronger.”
The event was hosted by Mr. T.M. Hemayet Hossain, Director of the association. It served as a vibrant gathering where participating members discussed future strategies and expressed their firm commitment to working together for the advancement of the dredging industry in Bangladesh.
